Tech Degree Apprentice Review

The role performed in this apprenticeship will vary wildly depending on which team inside the business you join. My day-to-day role within this apprenticeship however, involves being full-time at university during years 1 and 2, with summer placements, and full time working during year 3, then back to full time uni during year 4. When I am at work, I fix software issues that arise in projects, and liaison with clients to perform business analysis. I am part of a project team, and have allocated tasks to me.

From a business perspective, I have learned how to communicate professionally with clients, and improved my confidence in public speaking and presenting. From a technical perspective, this apprenticeship has helped to develop my knowledge in many topics concerning software, such as programming, data management, and source control. Time management has also been a point of improvement, as I am part of a team, and different parts of the project will have different deadlines depending on who you're working with.

I very much enjoy my program, there are lots of opportunities to develop, through certifications and training days, and I get the autonomy of being a real employee, providing value on a day-to-day basis. I also get the full university experience, and have made many friends and had lots of experiences there too.

The programme is quite well organised, with both the university and employer coordinating on topics such as module choices, assessments and projects. During university time, there are regular meetings with the employer to prepare us for the next work segment. During work, there are regular meetings with the uni tutors to prepare us for rejoining university.

The employer provides excellent support on both a university and working basis. We are assigned mentors that we can turn to for work related questions, and we work as part of a team that we become colleagues with while we work on a project. There are many schemes and people to help such that we always have someone to go to with any questions that might arise.

At university we are treat mostly like any other full time student, having access to tutors and groups that will support us throughout the academic year. Our student status allows us to join societies and other univeritty related activities that vastly enhance our experience. Overall, the university provides sufficient support.

If you are placed in a technical team (software development, digital acceleration) then the skills provided by the training partner are very useful ,as they consist of most of the things you will be doing on a day-to-day basis. Being in a less technical team (governance, analysis) incurs less of a cross-over between university and the workplace, however it is not unmanageable.

Depending on the team that you join, there are social committees that organise events and social activities, and these are a great way to get to know your colleagues better. The central programme team also organise networking events between other members of the same programme, which lets you get to know other people in your situation.

Yes

PwC has achieved a great sense of work-life balance, and allows you to shape your development to tailor to what you want to achieve. There is lots of room to grow, and being such a large company means that there will always be someone that can help. I feel like I have greatly improved my professional acumen since working here.

Have an open mindset as to what you would like to go into/specialise in, there are hundreds of job roles that you likely don't even know exist. Keeping as many doors open as possible will allow you to be pragmatic and take opportunities as and when they come.