Trainee consultant Review

Trainee Management Consultant - daily tasks include admin, spreadsheets, presentations, meetings and events. Responsibilities are fairly limited due to being so inexperienced however you are mainly in charge of admininstrative things like handouts or power point slides etc. I don't mind this type of work as although it can be tedious it's varied and i've learnt how to use a lot of the programmes during my school years too such as Microsoft Power point etc.

Qualification is in management consulting from OCR. I have not yet learnt any systems or specific skills. PwC offer a lot of training courses however not everyone is able to go and it depends on where they work within the company and their current roles. I think i am currently on a waiting list but after i am settled into the company i believe i will start training on further databases and other computer programmes from within my current role and as i progress up through my apprenticeship.

The team I enjoy as everyone is more relaxed and not like back at school where you are told what to do. The work however is often just administrative stuff and quite basic. On the other hand it is what you would expect from starting at the bottom of the chain. The company culture is very corporate - and everything you would expect from a corporate firm. I think more than anything i currently just need to bide my time and ensure that i eventually start moving forward through my apprenticeship

Managers show you alot of appreciation - however any higher up don't even know about the programme - hense why I said earlier about the 'corporate culture'. Graduates, senior associates and managers / senior managers show alot of appreciation and take a lot of time out of there own day to show you whats going on around the firm. I think that the lack of communication through certain parts of the company could be improved greatly to improve the lives of a lot of the employees and not just us.

I think our apprenticeship is structured very well considered that it only started a couple of years ago - we have a clear direction on what we need to do over the 2 years with work and exams / college. We get alot of support, for example study leave and time to do our course work - however not all teams let you take the time that you are allowed too. I enjoy the flexibility most of all and i think that this is very beneficial for apprentices and supervisors alike.

We don't start college until April however our company has been in communications with our college in the mean time. We have been told about what sort of lessons and qualifications we will be getting and told the day (although not yet confirmed) for when we go every week and rough dates for exams too which i am happy to hear about as i was worried we wouldn't be able to find this out until next year. I look forward to taking a day out and have my week a bit varied in terms of work.

This varies on teams - some teams that understand the programme are extremely support and let you take your study leave for course work and exams however other teams are not so understanding and don't allow you to take the time you are entitled to for the exams and coursework which you will have to do everything on evenings and weekends that is if you are not doing over time every day of the week. I think that communication could be a bit better with our supervisors too.

I think the salary is fair, however from someone who lives on the boardaline of London but has to get an over ground my train tickets are fairly expensive and take up the majority of my pay. I think you have enough to live and get to work however not anywhere in a good location of London and you would have to cut back on the social side. I think although minimum wage is poor for apprentices, for this firm it is good but trying to live on your own and have your own life on the wage is hard.

PwC offers alot of opportunities of teams and activities like rugby clubs or foot ball clubs etc. It also offers discount on London gyms which memberships are extremely pricey to an affordable price. In Consulting there are also alot of social events - like team dinners or drinks etc which help bonds with your work team. I think the company does really well in this department and i have never been left out of any nights out or get-togethers with staff and social meetings.

Yes

I would recommend PwC to a friend mainly to get your foot in the door of these large corporations. Also valid work experience to find out what you enjoy as there are many different projects and interal roles you can get involved with so two years will go by quickly. I think that i would advice someone to ensure that they know how difficult it can be to go through an apprenticeship within london and the growing costs of living too but if they plan it through it will be very beneficial for them.

Just find out about the firm as much you can and the current economic state. Also to take up as many opportunities as you can on what you are interested in as it will increase your network around the firm. Ensure you ask about what qualifications you would get and what your role would be within the company too as well as the different jobs and work you would be getting if you were to get an apprenticeship with PwC. Generally show your interest, ask questions and take notes if promted too and also try to be a bit confident with yourself too.