Intern/Trainee Review

During my four month placement I was involved in the interim audit process. Being located in the Insurance business unit I was responsible for the underwriting cycle of the client. My role on a day to day basis was sampling listings, testing the samples and following up with the client on any queries I had.

Most definitely! Since starting my placement my communication and IT skills have improved immensely. My communications skills have naturally increased through constant exposure to situations where they need to be utilised. Whether it be explaining the status of my work to my team, speaking to the client on calls or attending socials, they are always used. My IT skills have also developed massively not only on internal software but in microsoft excel too. The more I learnt, the more efficient things could get done.

I really enjoy the hybrid style my programme adopts. I spend half of my year on placement at PwC and the other half studying for university modules and my ICAEW exams. The combination of the two gives me a healthy balance of university life and working in an office environment.

The programme is extremely well structured between the three bodies of the University of Nottingham, PwC and ICAEW. I am always sent clear correspondence as to what I am meant to be completing/attending. I also feel that by spreading the course over four years there is a perfect balance of modules per year at university due to us only being there for half the year.

Since joining PwC I have been offered many different routes for support. Before even officially starting client work I was assigned a buddy, flying start champion and career coach all within the business unit. Not only that but throughout my placement I had a multiple wellbeing calls with my team to check on how we were all doing.

I complete my qualifications at the University of Nottingham. I feel that my lecturers are very supportive and are always available for you to reach out and ask questions too. Even in the current covid climate and having to have lectures online they have adapted well in order to still teach us the content and provide all the resources necessary.

Having done a year of accountancy at university before starting my first work placement I was able to understand a lot more about certain processes in the workplace than I imagined I would. I think that by doing a full year before my placement it allows a solid groundwork to be put in place that can be built upon throughout the placement.

Throughout my placement there has been a number of extra-curricular social events that I have attended. On numerous occasions I went out for drinks with my team as well as attending an event for all current and graduated flying stat students. I do think that had more extracurricular activities been brought to my attention I would have attended more.

Yes

Since beginning my placement I have been amazed at the amount of support I have received. I also found that the work was different everyday and was constantly being exposed to new challenges to overcome. In addition my colleagues were brilliant in coaching me with any questions or queries I had.

When applying for PwC I will always offer the following advice. Make sure you look into the company and try and understand the value to see if you align with them. Furthermore, and as cliche as it sounds, just be yourself. They are looking to see the real you and putting on a facade is not something sustainable.