PwC Business Insight Week Review

The PwC Business Insight week does as it says - gives you an insight into the day-to-day running of PwC. I completed my week in the Belfast Office and over the 5 days got to experience various lines of service including Tax and Deals. The morning of the first day was spent getting to know the other participants and getting to know more about PwC. We were then assigned to our buddies for the day. On Day 1, I was with Andrew in Personal Client (Tax), on Day 2 I was with the team in Corporate Compliance (Tax), on Day 3 I was with Ryan/Sarah in IMSP (Tax) and on Day 4 I was with Adam in Transaction Services (Deals). On the final day we had the opportunity to work on a live client project and then pitch our ideas to an audience which included our buddies, parents and the client. It was a brilliant end to a brilliant week! Also on the last day we got advice on steps towards the future in terms of other opportunities PwC offer - like School/College Leaver Programmes, Graduate Programmes etc.

Over the week, I definitely feel I learnt new skills and developed existing skills effectively becoming more 'Business Ready.' For example, I feel my Professional Conduct in a workplace has improved - obeying a dress code, dealing with clients, sending emails etc. My ICT Skills have also improved through using Microsoft Excel and various other pieces of software throughout the week. I also feel my teamwork, leadership and communication skills as well as my confidence has improved as I was working in an unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar people throughout my time at PwC. These skills were particularly developed on the last day when we were working on the live client project as part of a team.

The programme was extremely enjoyable in every aspect. Throughout the week, I got a real first-hand insight into the day-to-day running of PwC and became more aware of exactly what they do by being in their main Northern Ireland Office. Business Insight Week was highly interactive and I enjoyed the fact we got to complete various case studies and work on live client projects. It wasn't all hard work though! We were treated with Dominos Pizzas on various occasions and also participated in various teambuilding games/exercises throughout the week. The programme was extremely well structured and organised by Hannah (the Student Recruitment Officer) and her team.

I feel very valued by PwC and it is clear there is an excellent relationship between the employees and the company. Since applying to the programme, they have been in constant communication guiding me and the other applicants. Whilst completing Business Insight Week, all of the staff (at junior and more senior level) made us feel very welcome and were there to answer any questions or provide any relevant information on how they came to PwC and tips/advice they had. The added touches - such as the payment, party celebration on the last day, the hoodies I received and the very fact I got to deal with confidential information and clients only proves how valued I was by the company. Even after the programme finished, Hannah and the team at PwC have been in contact to follow-up and advise on the next steps forward.

Business Insight Week was very well structured. Before onboarding ,we had received a timetable of what we were going to be doing each day and the programme followed this timetable very well. The programme is well structured from the point of view we were in the office for a large chunk, but also had the opportunity to gather together as participants to team-build, assess our employability skills on the last day and work on the live client project. Perhaps to make the programme even better, every department could provide an individual case study for participants to complete which would effectively reflect the work of staff on a given day. Also I think it would be nice for Business Insight Students to gather together at the end of each day to share what they got up to etc.

Our main training provider was Hannah, the Student Recruitment Officer. Before the programme, Hannah was only an email away and always provided quick and relevant responses. Whilst we were in PwC she was always there for support and guidance. On the last day, she took the opportunity to provide us with lots of advice on the options PwC had for us moving forward. Since completing the programme, she has been in contact again following up on our plans for the future and further answering any questions or providing relevant advice.

PwC provided fantastic support. Before the programme, Hannah the Student Recruitment Officer was only an email away and always provided quick and relevant responses. Whilst completing Business Insight Week we had excellent support from our buddies and other members of their department as well as Hannah and the recruitment team. Everyone was extremely approachable and were willing to help out if needed.

Business Insight Week was such a fantastic opportunity to get inside PwC and experience first-hand what goes on in the world's largest professional services network, that the money was simply an added bonus! It definitely had a real sense of achievement and pride seeing your payslip from PwC coming through and further reinforced how they valued participants.

Although we were only there for a week, there were many opportunities for us to step away from the office and enjoy ourselves completing games and teambuilding activities. Lunch-time was always great fun as we got to know our buddies on a more personal level and meet other members of their team. It was clear that for full-time employees of PwC there are endless opportunities outside of work!

Yes

PwC is an excellent company that really values everyone associated with it. Everyone in the company is only too happy to help. Business Insight Week was an amazing opportunity to get right into the heart of PwC and see exactly what they do. They also provide lots of information to you on the options available after leaving school - like School/College Leaver Programmes, Graduate Programmes etc.

Go for it - you won't look back! Business Insight Week was such a fantastic opportunity for myself and the other participants to see the inner workings of PwC first-hand. Over the week, I know I developed as a person and gained lots of new skills/improved upon existing ones that can be transferred across any walk of life. Personally, I wanted to go on Business Insight week to see the options available to me after leaving school and have since decided to apply for a School/College Leaver Programme. Please do take the application process seriously! Get a Teacher/Parent to help you proof your application and prepare for your interview. Competition to be successfully accepted onto the programme is high, but if you are accepted, you will be glad you put the effort in! Business Insight Week is a fantastic 'stepping-stone' which provides a great platform to anyone moving forward!