Flying Start Degree programme - Associate, Bristol Review

I am set various different tasks by my seniors, who delegate the tasks to me which they believe are appropriate for my level of experience. This includes putting in calendar invites for the team, setting up 'energisers' to maintain team well-being and rolling forward EGAs in preparation for this year using the prior year file EGAs. Furthermore, it is often I have numerous training days allocated to me, which allow me to explore and make use of more PwC digital applications.

I feel that I have learnt how to behave professionally and communicate in this way with clients, as well as develop my communication skills in order to build rapport with my colleagues. Numerous times I have been put out of my comfort zone when I have had to lead client calls, and I feel that this has had a significant contribution to my personal development. Being on this job has also allowed me to learnt how to manage my own time and prioritise what tasks are most important to complete first.

I enjoyed the team I had the opportunity to work with during my programme, and I believe that the people I got to meet was a significant factor to my enjoyment throughout the programme. As I was on the same client throughout the majority of placement it was much easier to enjoy the programme when I fell into a routine, and when this happened it was much easier to know what I had to do and it felt more comfortable.

The programme is organised in a structured way, but sometimes things could be made clearer to the new joiners as sometimes it feels that we are sort of left out of the loop. I feel that it is organised well, but the programme details are not always conveyed nor communicated to us very clearly meaning that we are left a bit confused and not knowing of what to do, and it has sometimes felt that we are left to find out things on our own.

The team I have been assigned on has been so supportive and I am really grateful for how much support and help they have given me throughout my time on the team, especially in this remote working environment. They have been successful in helping me transition into the team and I feel that I have really had the opportunity to feel like a member of the team, despite not actually meeting any of the team in person.

University of Nottingham has been as helpful as they could have been in this remote working environment, and I am really grateful for all the online resources they have provided throughout programme. They send emails updating us on when new module topics have been uploaded, and chase us up when they see that engagement with the activities has been low. It is helpful to get notifications so that you are reminded of what needs to be done.

I feel that it has been useful to give background information, but most of my work done in my role I feel has been able to been completed only by the great coaching I have received whilst being on the team. The coaching given was really useful, as my coaches would always give context and background information which I feel that will help in mt qualification. It does help with knowing some business words though that I learnt from studying towards the qualification.

There have been so many socials and so many opportunities to get involved with during my time on the programme, and I have always felt welcome to joining any of them. This has been really useful, especially in the remote working environment, as it has meant I have been able to be introduced to new people and hopefully I will be able to meet these people in person in the offices next year when coronavirus is over.

Yes

They really care about development and how the work you do contributes to not only your own personal growth, but also to the growth of the firm. The environment they create there with their people is very welcoming and inclusive, and this creates a really engaging environment to work in, with many numerous areas you can go into that will allow you to stretch yourself, be out of your comfort zone and learn many new skills.

I think that you should apply with an open mind and know that every day you will be faced with difference challenges, but that this will stretch you and allow you to develop and learn new skills. It is not a standard 9 to 5 job and overtime is expected, but the hours are extremely flexible and you can personalise your work day to what suits you personally. Joining PwC will open many doors and provide so many opportunities for growth, and I would definitely recommend taking these opportunities.