SG5013 Assignment
SG5013 Assignment
Total 100%
This reflective report presents the professional and personal development obtained from the
KPMG virtual consulting internship. During the project I analyzed client data, provided
strategic recommendations and wrote consultancy reports in a fully remote environment.
Improved problem solving, communication and self-management skills are key learning
outcomes. It improved technical consulting competencies and crucial soft skills needed in
employability. Structured reflection strengthened resilience and adaptability shaping it in line
with current workplace demands. Gained insights have driven a focused career development
aimed towards the future roles in the management consultancy. The opportunity for the
internship was sourced on platforms such as Forage, and the UEL’s Career Zone initiatives
supported professional development.
1. Introduction
This document studies how students develop skills and knowledge from their KPMG virtual
consulting experience. The practice of reflective learning helps students use their business
theories and work experience together effectively to develop their practical skills. The
position opened on the Forage platform through Career Zone services at UEL to build student
career readiness with virtual internship tools. The evaluation utilizes learning through
experience models like Kolb’s, Gibbs’ and Dewey’s methods to understand students'
internship understanding. Development of Ready Professionals moves from preparing new
interns to conducting job observations and produces final recommendations for career
growth.
As a global professional services organisation, KPMG provides audit, tax and advisory
services for auditing, tax, advisory and other professional service needs of private and public
organisations. KPMG is renowned for its innovation and expertise at
consulting for organisations to overcome the complicated business
challenges.
In this section, the respondent’s skills inessential communication in writing, simple problem-
solving ability and time management were average (Cottrell, 2021). But on the weak point it
was possible to name the processes associated with client interaction, data analysis, and
consulting as professional development points.
The placement was designed to improve critical thinking skills, communication skills
targeting the clients, and time management. Flexibility in post COVID-19 work forecasting,
work flexibility, and digital skills were also among the learning objectives (Buheji and
Buheji, 2020; Tan, 2023).
Flexibility coupled with flexibility was pursued in response to the changing nature of the
employment market (OECD, 2021; World Economic Forum, 2023). More emphasis was laid
on the linking of the skills training in relation to the career progression as specified in the
module learning outcome (University of East London, 2025).
Table 1, Skills Audit Summary
As part of their KPMG Virtual Consulting Internship participants did consulting work in full.
Our team examined client information while finding hazards and generating reports with
business strategies for clients. The intern's specific work included using data to find business
understanding, writing consultancy emails and making detailed business proposals. The
assignments copied how real consulting jobs work at work and built an actual workplace
atmosphere (Awing et al., 2023).
The main difficulty came from the change required to work independently under the self-
paced setup of the virtual project. Interns could not seek live guidance from their managers in
this internship program unlike regular on-site internships. Working alone on hard tasks while
lacking real-time collaboration made me uncertain and forced me to boost my self-drive and
control how I use my time. The post-COVID business world now features employees who
learn by themselves and work online more regularly according to Findlay, Lindsay, and Roy
(2021).
The task presented another educational obstacle while trying to recreate the authentic
consultancy characteristics of project work in a completely internet-based delivery system.
The designed task performed well but did not manage to duplicate essential elements such as
live client interactions and dynamic team meetings. According to Mushtaq, Mushtaq and
Waseem (2020) authentic learning experiences in virtual settings frequently encounter
restrictions which primarily affect student engagement and time-sensitive interactions.
Students addressed their learning obstacles by using proper planning in their tasks and
creating assessment methods to review completed assignments and practiced client
interaction through role-play of actual business consulting situations. I found the reflective
tools in Forage essential for my success by using their sample responses and self-assessment
tasks. The experience demonstrated why proactive learning based on experience is essential
for remote work - this requires ongoing personal responsibility and adaptability according to
Bowen (2020).
In general, the tasks fostered both application of technical consultancy skills and
enhancement of soft skills, own initiative, problem-solving, and written business
communication. These capabilities can be effective in the digitally and autonomic working
world of the modern business management practices.
Virtual internships at KPMG enabled substantial growth of hard and soft working
competencies. The development of communication skills became most prominent when
preparing direct and comprehendible consultancy reports as well as simulated e-mails
directed to clients. Important business information required written communication skills as
verbal interaction was restricted in virtual formats. Team workers fostered their collective
mindset to understand client scenarios and to match their deliverables during independent
work assignments. Team resilience together with self-management stands as essential for
task-oriented settings according to Hartmann, Weiss and Hoegl (2020).
The development of problem-solving abilities happened through critical assessment of
business challenges to generate practical strategic solutions. Dealing with intricate client
information and uncertain project requirements demanded thinking outside the box and
innovation because adaptive resilience stands as described by Hartmann, Weiss, Newman and
Hoegl (2020).
It also contributed to the development of the hard skills. Throughout the internship, there was
practicing of consulting methodologies, client problem diagnosis, evidence-based analysis,
and solution formulation. Producing structured, professional consultancy documents which
are suitable to the client requirements is improving report writing skills.
The Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1988) was one particular cycle which was useful to reflect upon
this learning. By reviewing experiences across stages of description, feelings, evaluation,
analysis, conclusion and action plan in a systematic way deeper understanding of both the
successes and the limitations was reached. In addition, Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle
(2014) was also a factor in the iterative learning process from concrete experience to
reflection and then to conceptualization to active experimentation.
According to Akpur (2020), critical and reflective thinking was particularly crucial to (i)
recognize skill gaps and (ii) plan and organize skills to improve them. However, throughout
the internship, I had to consciously reflect with the experiences from the internship to turn
them into sustainable development outcomes for me. Overall, this placement emphasized the
worth of reflective practice in transforming disparate tasks into more extensive professional
attributes which are vital for work in any consultancy field in the future.
Figure 2, Kolb's Learning Styles & Experiential Learning Cycle source: simply psychology.
In 2014 Kolb's Learning Cycle helped students develop their learning by using an ongoing
process. Students moved from real work in their virtual consultancy tasks to thinking about
their results. Through this process I designed effective ways to work with clients and show
information to them. Using my new strategies during future activities helped me grow as a
professional while becoming better at what I do (Kolb 2014).
The deeper professional practice investigation was built upon Dewey's Reflection Model. The
combination of reflective thought from Dewey provided students with an analytical means to
understand how experience connects to knowledge when studying internships. The method
allowed students to advance from mere task completion to analyze consultancy expertise in
detail.
All selected theories worked together in a coherent way during the process. Work-based
learning receives better assessment of personal development when structured reflection
methods get integrated according to Nabi and Somerville (2024). Koukpaki and Adams
(2020) show that systematic reflective practices contribute to professional growth exactly in
line with the structured approaches from the internship.
Structured application of these models made the internship project into an organized learning
experience which directly improved both consulting capability and employment readiness.
Figure 4, Dewey's model of reflective thought and action. | Download Scientific Diagram
Table 2, Application of Experiential Learning Theories
Phased consulting work at KPMG through the virtual internship generated various
important accomplishments. The development of structured consultancy reports using
complex client data analysis proved to be the most significant accomplishment of the
virtual consulting internship at KPMG. Strong grasp of professional consultancy
procedures became evident through mastery of written communication skills and detail-
oriented work and information synthesis into practical recommendations. Employees who
demonstrated the ability to independently learn remotely during the pandemic displayed
vital characteristics of adaptability and flexibility which employers want in their new
post-virus work environment (Riaz, Stankeviciute and Pinzaru, 2024).
However, as with any project, there were a few deficiencies that were observed. This led
to the emergence of a major weakness which was low level of training and practice in
direct client interface. Some sources of learning were limited due to the absence of
chance encounters with clients or typical working interactions such as teamwork was also
limited to assigned and timed interactions rather than emerging work opportunities and
meetings. Specifically, one’s verbal communication confidence will have to be enhanced
as well as effectively engaging in real-life teamwork.
The best lessons for the future include constant networking in one’s profession as well as
embracing further education in the use of technology in collaboration. According to the
literature, Tomlinson et al. (2022), graduate employability hence involves mainly
technical skills and emotional skills. By the development of both, sets of skills, additional
internships, live projects, as well as mentorship programs will make consulting industries
more prepared.
The appraisal process was done professionally for leadership and management in line with
the following employability competencies; Communication, problem-solving, adaptability
and responsibility (Chartered Management Institute, 2021).
Trait Rating
On the other hand, the feedback also revealed a couple of areas that required improvement –
the areas to build direct interpersonal communication and active participation in virtual team
leadership opportunities. Though good at completing technical task, further development of
being able to influence and lead the group was recommended to boost consultancy
effectiveness in the future.
The feedback will direct the strategic development of enhanced leadership presence as well
as remote team verbal communication skills and professional relationship development. The
skills development strategy matches the standard career objective of becoming successful in
management consultancy roles because leadership and collaboration and strategic
communication create the core of success (Chartered Management Institute 2021; Bennett
and Ananthram 2022).
Through the mentor appraisal experience I gained essential insights about my professional
skills which allowed me to build a specific plan for reaching my career targets in consulting.
The feedback will direct the strategic development of enhanced leadership presence as well
as remote team verbal communication skills and professional relationship development. The
skills development strategy matches the standard career objective of becoming successful in
management consultancy roles because leadership and collaboration and strategic
communication create the core of success (Chartered Management Institute 2021; Bennett
and Ananthram 2022).
Through the mentor appraisal experience I gained essential insights about my professional
skills which allowed me to build a specific plan for reaching my career targets in consulting.
The tangible short-term plan (1-5 years) is that the reporter intends to work towards being a
Management Consultant majoring in the area of digital transformation and management
advisory. In this regard, opportunities for continued professional learning, which embrace
acquisition of other certifications (like Lean Six Sigma or project management) shall be
pursued in relation to effective promotion of the career decision self-efficacy factors outlined
by Wang et al. (2023).
The skills improvement plan will deliver training in leadership development along with
teamwork enhancement and strategic problem-solving capabilities by using practical project
work and mentoring programs. The ability to improve client interaction along with
communication skills stands essential for consultative leadership development because social
and cultural capital remains vital as Tomlinson et al. (2022) explain.
The path to addressing minimal contact with clients requires purposeful research into client-
handling assignments along with competitive case challenges and purposeful attendance at
professional networking opportunities. According to Wu et al. (2024) one must demonstrate
resilience together with adaptability and lifelong learning dedication to build upward
academic and professional mobility.
Table 5, Personal Development Plan (PDP)
Short- Secure a graduate Interview skills, Apply for graduate Career service Within 6
term consulting role within consulting schemes, enhance support, online months
Goal a top consultancy firm frameworks, LinkedIn profile, case resources
adaptability practice case studies
6. Conclusion
The KPMG virtual consulting internship transformed learning in a way that also strengthened
professional and personal capabilities. Key reflections from the placement highlight
significant development in communication, critical thinking, adaptability, and self-
management skills. Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle and Kolb’s learning Cycle were structured
experiential learning applied to understand the tasks deeper and enhance the skill
continuously by providing more reflection.
In general, the virtual placement experience was valuable. The internship simulated realistic
consulting scenarios like any other internships in spite of the lack of physical interaction,
hence the development of necessary competencies in modern consultancy roles. Managing
independent learning, communication barrier, and self-motivation not only were the
challenges, but they became pivotal growth opportunities. Proactively approached, virtual
environments have the potential to create very effective outcomes for professional learning.
These experiences gave the placement valuable contribution to personal and professional
growth, through building workplace resilience, strategic thinking and a clear sense of career
direction. Feedback received through the mentor appraisal process was critical in terms of
offering feedback that was actionable and geared towards particular strengths and areas for
improvement, feedback that informed future professional development priorities.
Finally, discussion centers round the perpetual significance of lifelong learning as well as
employment. The field of consulting is ever changing and always evolving and something
which its practitioners need to continually update their skill set, adapt to changes, and
practice reflectively. Reflective learning strategies keep them from allowing experiences,
positive or negative, pass them by without being turned into learning opportunities. This has
to remain a top-of-mind concern for career progression and business resilience in any
changing business environment.
In general, internship can be considered as a launch pad to success, instills the basic
professional values and a strong will to enhance personal skills as well as career growth.
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