Simone Novik, Operations Director, shares with you her experience at E&Y's inaugural Emerging Leaders Summit:

Wow, who would have thought that in three days so much could be seen and done. The Ernst and Young emerging leaders summit was one of the most educational and amusing experiences I have had to date. The trip started on Wednesday June 22^nd when we flew out from Pearson and arrived in Washington. There was no down time once we arrived at the Boulder conference centre, we were immediately greeted by Ernst and Young facilitators and were emerged into a mix and mingle session of 250 people.

I must say that in meeting all the students from the States it was awesome to see that even though we were from different countries we all were able to network with ease as there was a certain level of comfort when finding we shared familiar ideas and goals. After the mix and mingle we were to attend our first seminar that included a fabulous dinner and several amazing speakers such as the panel of auditors and tax team members that were part of the team working on the Coca Cola company as well as professors from the University of Miami, Dr Brian Ballou and Dr Dan Heitger. After dinner we had some more ice breakers that included karaoke, Wii, and other games, and I must say people can really karaoke, they got me so into it myself that I had lost my voice. Then we all slowly headed off to bed as the next day would be filled with various activities.

In the morning following an amazing breakfast of everything you could desire we had Nancy Altobello, Americas Vice Chair, People and Beth Brooke, Global Vice Chair, Public Policy, discuss who Ernst and Young is recruiting and how they make Ernst and Young fit with your life. Then we were split up and attended 3 workshops that were split into two that day and one on the Friday.

The workshops were the Art of Communication, Enhancing your Global Mindset and Integrity, Transparency and Leadership. In the Art of communication we were shown how what we say verbally is merely 7% of an interaction and that body language and delivery were much more predominant. In Enhancing a Global Mindset we were shown that the economy is quickly moving to one global economy and to succeed one must not only understand this fact but embrace it by learning customs in other countries as well as the various differences in cultures. Finally in Integrity, Transparency and Leadership we were shown through case analysis that there is no real black and white in the business world and as future leaders we will need to know how to rationalize and sift through the grey areas to be the best possible leaders we can be.

Thursday evening we travelled to the state capitol and had our own version of the amazing race. We were given 7 photos and we had to determine where they were taken and answer trivia regarding those particular landmarks. I still have blisters from the 3 hours we spent racing around the city. With that the next day followed with which ever last seminar you had not yet attended and a closing ceremony which included a speech from Jim Turley, CEO of EY and his views on the economy and how to succeed within it.

With that as though with the blink of an eye three amazing days had past and it was time to go home. Goodbyes were said and everyone headed their separate ways. This experience was truly invaluable, the recruiters I met were so real and insightful it was inspiring, the speakers were so successful it was motivating and the students were so welcoming and friendly that it made it fun. I would do the trip over again in a heartbeat and I recommend all to apply for the next one, it is an experience true like no other.

- Simone Novik, Operations Director 2011-2012