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
During your weeks as an intern at PA, you’ll learn some of what it takes to be a top-notch consultant. You’ll be coached and guided by experts and have opportunities to broaden your experience on a challenging project. Whatever you work on, you’ll be part of the team and free to build your contacts, both here at PA and beyond.
PA’s ‘Networks Capability’ focuses on all non-consumer aspects of telecoms, blending expertise in technical, commercial and operational aspects. We focus on helping industry and enterprises maximise value from both next generation as well as critical, legacy connectivity.
If you want a balance of technology, commercial and real-world applications, with an opportunity to work across a broad range of industry sectors, then this could be what you’re looking for. You may be involved in strategy for 5G train control, for blending LEO satellite and mobile for energy black-start scenarios, or managing communications obsolescence in defence.
You will collaborate with expert consultants, be exposed to the latest advancements within telecoms (5G/6G, satcom, private networks, ML/AI integration), benefit from supportive mentoring, and gain skills through hands-on learning and peer support.
What you can expect
Joining us as an intern is the next step in starting your career. 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.
You will work on real-world communication network technology challenges and solutions. Example projects and activities might include: Creating innovative software for advanced drone detection, Analysing the costs and benefits of communications technologies to support investment and business cases, Developing machine learning algorithms for patent identification, Research emerging communications technologies and assessing their potential applications, Assess options for upgrading critical infrastructure relying on legacy communications technology and Analysis of network performance data, identifying issues and producing recommendations.
You will work directly with experienced Networks consultants who will work through technical problems with you, helping you structure analysis and develop your consulting skills.
You will have the opportunity to experience all phases of an assignment, from understanding the problem and designing the approach through to analysing the evidence, developing recommendations and presenting your findings to key stakeholders.
Essential requirements
This role is open to undergraduates in their penultimate year of university. If you are currently a final year undergraduate and intend to return to university after the internship to complete an MSc/MEng, you will also be eligible for this position.
Qualification: Working towards an undergraduate degree in Electronic/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Economics or another technical or numerate discipline is ideal but we welcome applications from a broad range of degree backgrounds.
Wider interest in technology: you will be curious about emerging technologies, particularly telecoms and datacomms, and interested to solve complex problems – though we’re not expecting deep expertise, rather the desire to develop and grow.
Curious and keen to learn: willing to take on unfamiliar problems, ask questions, and develop your understanding of new technologies and industries, supported by our experts.
Collaborative and relationship-focused: able to work effectively with different people, build strong relationships with clients and colleagues, and support others to succeed.
Clear and confident communicator: able to communicate complex ideas clearly, both written and verbal.
Analytical and adaptable: able to structure unfamiliar problems, make sense of incomplete or messy information and develop logical, evidence-based conclusions.
Modelling experience: experience using tools such as Excel, Python or MATLAB to analyse problems, build models, evaluate options or test hypotheses would be welcome.
Understanding data: experience sourcing, processing, analysing and/or visualising data would be beneficial.
Assessment process
First Stage Assessments:
Application form
Online Assessments
Pre Screen Telephone Interview
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
You will work to ensure our clients stay informed about threats and are able to protect their digital assets and business systems.
Opportunity to work supports the work of the networks team, examples of projects include modelling radio propagation, analysing real data to gain insights or setting up lab test environments to simulate scenarios and gain insightful understanding.
We work flexibly at PA, but your work base will be our London Victoria office.
This role will start in June 2027 – for 8 weeks. Exact dates will be confirmed at offer stage.
A career at PA is what you make of it – so power your curiosity and prepare to make an impact.
We are dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being of our people. Check out some of our extensive 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
Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn)
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: JR103026
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.
