Flying Start Degree programme - Grade 1 Bristol office Review

My role was to help the people in my engagement team complete their audits efficiently. On a day-to-day basis this consisted of working in a variety of EGA's. My main tasks were to select samples and in addition to this record any previously requested samples which had been returned by the client. This involved the use of the connect platform to communicate with the client and receive the samples and furthermore the aura platform to record the work in the corresponding EGA's.

Throughout my placement, I have felt that my skills and knowledge have developed immensely. For example, I have learnt the fundamental principles of Aura, such as preparing EGA’s and creating coaching notes, and in general being able to manoeuvre around the site efficiently. In addition to this I have been able to establish and understanding for the purpose of connect and how to utilise it e.g. making/using requests. Hence, I am now able to work more efficiently with the systems which underpin a good quality audit, and overall have increased my business acumen. Not only have I felt that I have been able to understand the basic technology behind an audit I now also deepened my knowledge surrounding the basic principles. There have been many an audit principle which I had previously studied, and without realising didn’t fully understand. However, now having seen them being put into practice and explained in a real-life context I feel I do have a true understanding for.

Overall I very much enjoyed my programme. Being able to put into practice the theories which I had learnt and being able to consolidate my understanding in a real life setting was incredibly useful and meant I thoroughly enjoyed the work I was doing. I also really enjoyed being able to meet the people who I was in a team with, however due to the current circumstances the scenario under which this occurred wasn't what I expected, with my placement being online. I believe this made it a little harder to meet different people, and therefore there wasn't quite as much of a social aspect to the placement.

My programme was very well structured. Even though there was a lot of uncertainty about the status of our programme at the beginning such as whether it was going to be online or not because of COVID, we were constantly kept up to date and were given as much notice as possible. Throughout the entire placement everything has run smoothly and there hasn't been a moment where I believe the programme could have been better organised.

I received a wide variety of support from my employer. My main point of contact was my career coach who was available at any time to offer their support. There were also bi-weekly meetings organised where everyone else who was on the same format of placement as me would join as well as others who had been on the course that we were on and were now fully employed. This was a time where we could also access support from anyone within these meetings.

Throughout my placement is made clear that there were many different support mechanisms in place provided by the university as well as the ones provided by the employer. These included tutors, course convener and contacts who provided a link between the university and PWC. There were a couple of times during my placement where I reached out to these people for guidance, and they always responded promptly and always willing to help to the best of their ability.

The training for my qualification gave me a strong basis of knowledge which I was then able to build on during my placement. Arguably, some modules have been more applicable to the work I have been performing however I feel like these were needed to give me a broader understanding of job which I may use later. I feel that a large proportion of what I learnt has been put into practice and from this I have been able to deepen my understanding.

Due to COVID and therefore my placement being online it is quite difficult to comment on this. Speaking to people in the year above they talk of great social aspects to the placement and although I could tell there was a great effort to maintain some sort of social normal , through weekly team quizzes and drinks etc. as it was all online there weren't as many opportunities. However I am sure this will change as soon as it is allowed and I believe to only be a one off.

Yes

PWC have created an amazing system in which we can integrate into the workplace at the same time as completing our studies. The placements themselves are a great way to consolidate your understanding of what you have learnt and see it in a real-life context. The people who you work with are all incredibly friendly and eager to welcome you and overall I feel the company is an excellent environment to be a part of.

Advice I would give would be to apply as early as possible for the course and if you are able to, gain some work experience before you submit your application. During the interview be yourself, the job is something you have for a long period of time and you have to be yourself so they can ensure your the right person. In terms of when you actually join the programme, work hard during the first year because when you start your placement if you haven't developed an understanding for some of the basic principles your going to feel lost from the start.