Technology Degree Apprentice Review

Before your on a placement with PwC your role regularly involves: - Checking emails regularly - Attending engagement sessions that help you learn more about the different lines of service within the company - There are plenty of opportunities to participate in volunteering, social activities within the firm and also some student recruitment events to help advertise the program - Get ready for your placements

As i've volunteered at various student recruitment events (some of which has required expensed travelling), this has let me develop my communication skills to a large degree. We also attend engagement sessions about different areas of the company, which has allowed me to learn more about the professional services industry.

I thoroughly enjoy the program. There are so many benefits when comparing to a traditional route such as a normal university degree. I've been able to meet so many like minded people in my cohort as well as getting the chance to network with other employees in the company that have been able to pass on their expertise and experience with me. PwC promotes an inclusive and diverse workplace, and I've always felt at home.

As apprentices, we have various contacts at various levels within the company structure. This includes our line manager and our apprenticeship contacts within the company. We also have a PwC buddy who is another apprentice within our technology program (who is in a different year) which can prove invaluable. The company is extremely large and within this comes a lot of structure and organisation and I have always felt like I know where I need to go with issues/queries.

If you have any issues at all, there are so many people you can speak to including your Career Coach, line manager, your fellow apprentice "PwC buddy" and there are also lots of online resources to guide you in the right direction of who to contact. If you need any reasonable adjustments, PwC is also very good at providing this. I sometimes have to start work/study a bit later in the day due to medication and PwC are great at accommodating this.

The university (University of Birmingham) provides a personal tutor with weekly sessions and I also find my lecturers and the postgraduate teaching assistants very accessible. There is also a great wellbeing team with two wellbeing officers specific to the Computer Science Department. They can help with any reasonable adjustments when it comes to assignments, exams or extenuating circumstances. It is very easy to schedule a call with them.

A degree in computer science gives you a great insight into the different industries and roles that you could have and also provides a broad overview of a lot of interesting and important topics which is very useful if you're not sure what career path you want to follow down yet.

PwC has various opportunities to get involved with colleagues including team sports (such as Badminton or 5-a-side football) or faith based or community based networks. There are also lots of volunteering opportunities available including "One Firm One Day", which is when PwC gives back to the local community. There also work parties within your line of service (Covid-19 permitting) and specific networking events for Degree Apprentices.

Yes

Regardless of your background, PwC is a very inclusive and welcoming environment. I always feel my opinion is valued at the company and I always feel I am learning. In addition, PwC has a great name for your CV at such a young age (as an apprentice), and is a world-leader within the professional services industry.

There are various stages to applying to PwC, including a game-based assessment, a video interview and a virtual assessment centre. They key when applying for Technology based roles within PwC I think is about demonstrating your people skills and your ability to both lead and work in a team. Even if you don't have much technical expertise, it's more about your ability, willingness and excitement to learn.