We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future. As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity.
Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results.
Gradcracker Insight – Carla speaks to Emma Henderson, Global Head of Early Careers at PA Consulting
Emma gives an insight into the application process and how to be successful at PA.
We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.
Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands.
PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life.
Job Description
Why considering joining us?
Joining us as an intern is a big step. Whether you’re coming from a specialist background or from an unrelated subject, we want you to be bold, stay curious and dive into the opportunities we have to offer.
Digital isn’t just about fast-changing technology opening new possibilities, and the door to new competitors, it’s about the consideration of people, process and technology as one. It’s essential to compete and keep performance high today while adapting to stay relevant tomorrow. Cracking the challenge means harnessing digital to bring ingenuity to life.
Working within our Digital & Data function will get you stuck into delivering some of the most advance solutions for clients.
We will provide you with a variety of skills and experiences which will form the foundations of your consulting career. You will be enrolled onto our Industrial Placement Scheme. including access to mentoring.
What you can expect
When you join our team as an intern, you’ll work on big things from day one. You’ll gain the knowledge and experience you need to build a successful career in technical consulting and contribute meaningfully to vital projects, working within an ambitious team that promotes career growth.
Digital and data has changed businesses forever. Organisations that have embraced digital are leading their industry and influencing others – and those that haven’t are falling behind. Joining us as a Digital and Data intern, you will work on an assortment of exciting projects providing innovative analytical solutions to our clients' most critical business issues.
Our Digital and Data stream is a wide team that offers a broad range of specialisms:
AI
Data science and advanced analytics
Data Engineering
Digital strategy & design
Architecture
DevOps
As well as being part of PA’s global Digital and Data community, you’ll also be part of our growing Manchester based team, playing an active role in developing our business and connecting with partners and clients in the region.
Qualifications
Essential requirements
Qualification: Undergraduate degree - in any discipline that involves computer science, data science or numeracy skills, or an equivalent
Growth-oriented and curious — open to change, driven to succeed, hungry for new challenges, and eager to broaden your understanding of the world.
Collaborative and relationship-focused — thrive in dynamic teams, build strong relationships with clients and peers, and support others to succeed.
Credible and communicative — comfortable in high-performance environments, with excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Analytical and adaptable — demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, innovative thinking, and the flexibility to adapt your style and approach.
Professional and reliable — show strong workplace etiquette by being punctual, dependable, and respectful of business expectations and office conduct.
Coding experience – some experience or understanding of coding is welcome. Experience programming in Python and knowledge of SQL is a plus
Understanding data and numeracy - experience processing and gaining insights from data would be beneficial for the role as well as strong numeracy skills
Technical and coding experience – Ideally you will also have:
Experience with programming languages preferred (e.g. Java, JavaScript, C/C++, Python or C#). Good understanding of relational and non-relational databases and familiarity with cloud-native services across AWS, Microsoft Azure and/or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
Assessment process
First Stage Assessments:
Application form
Online Assessments
Shortlisting and/or Technical Assessments
Final Stage Assessments:
Assessment Centre with Technical Assessments
Final Stage Interviews
Adjustments or accommodations - Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on earlycareers@paconsulting.com
The Offer
We’ll look to you to provide creative ideas and solutions, working with data to tackle complex client problems in collaboration with diverse teams
Opportunity to work across all areas of the development lifecycle, from strategy to implementation, and to take on assignments in different sectors
We will provide you with a broad base of experience from which to build an outstanding career
A wide range of internal and external training programmes
We work flexibly at PA, but your work base will be our Bristol office
This role will start in July 2027 and be for 12 months. We will confirm exact date at offer stage.
Salary - £26,230 per annum
Benefits
Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare
25 days' annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days
Generous company pension scheme
Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives
Annual performance-based bonus
PA share ownership
Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn)
A career at PA is what you make of it — so power your curiosity and prepare to make an impact.
We’re committed to advancing equality. We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, or any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.
We also do not sponsor visas and do not take any candidates on who do not have the right to work in the UK.
We've signed the Gradcracker feedback pledge.
(This means that we will supply feedback if requested after an interview.)
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Job ID Number: JR103016
Can I use AI to apply?
At PA, we use AI tools on a daily basis. However, we value transparency and authenticity above all in our hiring process. We want to get know you, your skills, and experience in our interview process.
As such, we ask that no AI tools (including AI note takers, meeting assistants, and similar tools) are used by candidates during interview sessions. If AI tools are used during an interview, it could influence the outcome of your application.
