Flying Start Degree Programme- Associate 1, Birmingham Review

On a day-to-day basis my role was to complete testing in the various FSLIs I had been assigned to. This involved consulting with both my engagement team as well as the client for which I was completing the work for. Within this is various responsibilities such as having catch-ups with both the client and team about outstanding work, obtaining evidence and sample listings from the client, and then documenting and testing the information provided.

I have learnt many new skills during placement. Specifically i have learnt new Excel tricks which enable me to complete my work more efficiently. I have also gained knowledge in business areas where i had no prior understanding. Examples of this are loan waivers and rebates, as I completed testing for these. I have also gained more confidence during my placement and can now confidently asked my team questions when I am struggling and can approach my client without first consulting with my in-charge/manager.

I very much enjoyed my placement as i have become a more confident person as a result. I also enjoyed applying my knowledge from university and school first hand in an environment where I am making a difference to both the team i am working with and also the client for which i have been hired to complete their audit.

The programme is very well structured. During second and third year of university, you are required to be on placement at your chosen office from the start of January until the start of April, making just over 3 months in total. Then in your fourth year you do placement from November until April, making 5 months in total. This is a good structure as it allows you to both work and study simultaneously enabling you to put your knowledge to the test so to speak in a working environment. The placements also help strengthen your knowledge and understanding so that when you go back to university you understand topics better allowing you to succeed in exams.

There is a lot of support provided by PwC. Firstly, there is the programme leader who is always there to answer questions and to ensure that the whole programme runs smoothly. They are the person who visits you in university and provides the talks about what you do and whats expected of you during placement. You also get your own 'Career Coach' who is responsible for approving your overtime and feedback. They are the person you go to when you have any queries about jobs you have been booked to or you hours you have been working. You are also given a 'Buddy' who is there more as a friend or a familiar face around the office who you can go to for the more simple questions such as how to do expenses etc.

The training provider offers lots of support when working towards your qualification as they ensure that you are learning from your placement so that you can apply your knowledge from university to placement, an also your knowledge from placement to your university learning and exams. They are also very supportive when you are struggling with anything and are also available to talk through issues or concerns you may have, offering solutions where applicable.

My having previously been at university before placement, i feel i have invaluable previous knowledge which i can apply to all work i perform. This understanding is vital to underpin the reasoning to why you perform the work you do and also the impact of the testing you are completing.

There are many social groups within PwC which you can apply to join. This involves sport groups to bake-offs. There are also monthly socials which the whole office gets involved with, allowing for you to meet new people. Additionally, engagement teams will often go for debriefs together one they have finished an engagement to celebrate the work they have completed.

Yes

I would recommend PwC to a friend as they are a very rewarding company who provide their employees with lots of support throughout their career. This allowing employees to work flexibly meaning they can fit work around their personal commitments and also offer 'career breaks' so that you can have a break from work and come back to a secure job. There are also many offices around the world meaning you can work from various countries if this is a desire of yours.

I would advise someone to take all the opportunities given to them at PwC and to view work positively. They also should look at the big picture and understand the difference they are making to the clients they work for as well as the support they are providing to the teams they are involved in.