Tech Degree Apprentice Review

During university term time you are effectively just a normal full time university student, with around weekly contact with PwC, usually about different teams you might join on placements and networking and things like that. On placements, you can do a lot of different things. I mostly use Alteryx. I do the work assigned by a manager, and usually work with an associate on it. It then gets reviewed, and you make the changes. I have worked on a variety of different clients.

Obviously I have learnt a lot through the university course and modules. I found a majority of them interesting. Developed my programming ability and theoretical knowledge, as well as software development as part of a team. On placement I have learnt how to use Alteryx and PowerBI. My Python skills have also been developed a little into fitting the expectations of a company rather than university work. I have learnt a lot more about the expectations of a worker. My communication skills have maybe improved.

The university parts are just like being a normal student and I enjoyed them to the same extent as any other student. Unfortunately was a bit hampered by Covid but on the whole I enjoyed the modules at university. On placement, I have found the amount of technical work unsatisfying. I am mostly using Alteryx, which realistically you do not need a computer science or technical background to use. Any attempts to get more technical work is quite a slow process. Everyone I work with is generally nice. Any chance I have had to do bits of Python here and there has been enjoyable.

The part through University has been generally well organised so far. My induction to my current team was quite well organised, with a set program. Getting allocated into your placement teams was a little frustrating, with little say over where we went/what type of work we would do. There is lots of different people there to support you, both through the university and PwC if you are struggling with anything.

My manager is nice enough. I have felt a bit lost in my team as I never really see the people I work with as they are not in the same office as I am. If you are genuinely struggling, the program managers do seem keen to help you. Things such as workplace adjustments and support seems to take quite a while.

Generally the university has been pretty good. Most modules have staff willing to help you if you need it. Most modules have tutorial sessions which are useful, particularly if you're struggling. The CS welfare team are very nice and always there to help, even when you're out on placement.

To be honest, what I have learnt in the university course has not helped in my work role very much. I have definitely enjoyed the university content a lot and wish it was more relevant to the work I am doing. While the university course is Computer Science, covering a variety of interesting and technical topics, the placements have ended up being relatively untechnical work, using software that definitely does not need a CS background in to use. I have done a little bit of Python on placement, but this is something I learnt in my own time, not through the placement.

Obviously through university I've joined in with sport and societies, as any normal student would. Now that Covid is dying down, more office events are happening like sports. My team has occasional socials which is fun. There are always various events you can help out at and lots of random talks happening.

No

If they were wanting a technical job involving programming work, I would not recommend it as my experience has been doing untechnical and unsatisfying work. If someone was not looking for a technical role, then they may well enjoy these jobs a lot more. I would say that the general company culture is something I would recommend.

I would have like to have known more about what actual work we would do on placements before applying, as that has ultimately been the most disappointing part. Look through PwC's online information about interviews in advance. Be confident in interview and try to connect with the person interviewing you. In the group interview, make sure you get your points across without talking over everyone else.