Trainee Associate 2 Review

I am on the Management Consulting apprenticeship scheme which lasts two years. Tasks are mainly project management related (e.g. tracking client deliverables, contract mangement, looking after the project budget, designing slides/docs, due dilligence, onboarding, booking venues and rooms, taking meeting notes) although some aspects of the roles are more technical. The apprenticeship is structured as four, six month project rotations - the first two rotations are usually internal and the last two client-facing. I have worked on a variety of projects, for example assisting on large bids (£1m+), and working with both public and private sector clients.

I have learnt a lot - both in terms of technical and soft skills. The Level 4 qualification has been useful in giving a foundation in business/financial knowledge and the roles have provided more than enough opportunity for professional and technical development. My confidence has also increased substantially throughout the programme.

The programme has been enjoyable - we have a very close community of higher apprentices and the company culture is surprisingly friendly given the high standard of work we deliver and the somewhat pressured environment. I have always felt supported and everyone's development is encouraged. Some tasks are less interesting, but do not feel meaningless.

The programme has become more organised and structured since I joined, and I believe it is quite clear what is required of you in order to progress to the graduate programme (i.e. pass all of your exams, get good feedback from each of your rotations, and comply with all of the firm's internal processes and procedures). There is enough study time, and also various development days that focus on soft skills so I think they do cover everything we need.

PwC is very supportive giving study time, and mangers are aware that we have to pass our exams in order to progress. Being asked to leave if we fail twice is a bit harsh, but such is life. Company is also supportive of mental health/personal issues and I know people who have been offered extended periods of time off.

Kaplan are okay, to be honest the tutors are a bit hit and miss (Stuart was really good) but the exams are easy enough to pass if you memorize the content and follow their exam technique. However we have to have these individual meetings with them every 3 months or so which are completely pointless as they have no knowledge of Consulting and just creates extra admin for us.

The foundation of business, economics, accounting and finance that we receive is good - probably not that helpful at the moment but it is good to get some context to our roles in the wider business environment. A more advanced qualification (e.g. CIMA) probably would have been more interesting as we could have built on it in later years and become chartered.

Yes - I think there are netball, football and rugby teams as well as a pantomime. We also have a voluntary day every year which is nice. To be honest, in order to have a life outside of work, doing extra stuff for PwC on top of your role is a bit unrealistic but it's nice to have the option to get more involved if you want to. There are also more than enough team socials and networking drinks etc.

Yes

Your development will be much quicker than if you had gone to university/worked somewhere else, the work and clients are interesting and looks great on your CV. Furthermore, the people that work at PwC are both very intelligent/handworking which means that the environment is ideal to work in as you look up to the people you work with and can feel comfortable making mistakes.

- Experiences and soft skills gained from extra curricular activities matter just as much as academic performance so don't neglect them. Once you have passed their grade requirement, A levels predictions do not matter anymore at the following application stages. - It is important to demonstrate to the person interviewing you that they could place you in front of a client, so you need to show that you are confident and personable, as well as knowing your stuff.