Degree apprentice Review

During university term time I study as a normal student and then over summer there is a 10 week placement where we are based in one of the offices (intended such that is it the ‘local’ one although can be placed anywhere) where we get out into a team and work with them. Full year in industry for third year; will hopefully have determined the department in which we want to work/focus on by then.

From the general course, I have learnt more about computer science and PwC have set up webinars to keep us up to date on the company and what they’re doing with regards to technology, although, having not been on placement yet, I have yet to experience the office life and the skills I will gain from that.

The programme idea is amazing - the placement will help me gain the experience I’ll need in the future, the sponsorship means I don’t have to worry about debt when I graduate and the guaranteed job at the end of the degree means I have a secure job to go straight into; won’t have to spend ages trying to find a job one I’ve graduated. Only reason I don’t enjoy the programme is because the way the course is taught at the university is pretty bad - the lecturers are uninspiring and it has made me question my course choice; I am hoping the placement will re-inspire me.

The organisation of how the programme is run is very good, considering it is the first year that it is running - PwC have had lots of contact with us and made sure any key information is being relayed to us, keeping us in the loop; we are treated like employees. The course, however, has been a bit ‘messy’ as they have changed the modules and content being taught.

We get lots of support from PwC - we have been paired up with ‘buddies’ who we can contact if we have any issues and will help us over placement. They have also kept us up to date through email newletters and webinars, making sure we know what the company is doing and what their goals are. We also have termly tripartite meetings with someone from the implant to keep track with our progress and discuss Andy issues we may have.

The tripartite meetings are good opportunities to ask for extra support needed for the course and they are always willing to help - just need to send an email. Generally for support with the course, we are meant to go to our tutors/wellbeing (although they don’t always resolve the issue) but PwC are always willing to help

As i haven’t been on placement yet I can’t comment on how it will affect it but over the year we have learnt content which we will hopefully be able to put into practice when we are working in the offices. The webinars that they have run for us have given us more information on the applications of topics and so they will come in handy in the workplace.

there are loads of extra-curricular activities offered by the university which we can get involved in and PwC also have initiatives we can take part in - they do a charity day which our course are hoping to take part are also networking events put on at the local offices every not and then which we are encouraged to attend - they provide us with a good opportunity to meet the people we will be working with.

Yes

They are very supportive and really work hard to make us feel like part of the company - they were very excited to have us on board as it is a new course and it shows through their enthusiasm. Everyone working there that I’ve met is very friendly and easy to talk - I look forward to working there over summer as they seem to have a really good environment in the office.

Try and channel their purpose (build trust in society and solve important problems) and values (acting with integrity, making a difference, caring, working together, and reimagining the possible). Being enthusiatic about what you do and making sure you enjoy it is something that will come across as something they want - they don’t want people who won’t enjoy what they’re doing.