Flying Start Review

The job is mainly about audit work experience so it includes using PwC's audit systems to go through your given tasks, talking with the client (either through email or calls) and learning how to interact with your team, many of who will be older and more senior than you.

Definitely - I learnt how to use PwC's systems which could be applied to any future jobs in audit that I may take. I also learnt how to interact with my team - communication isn't my forte so this was quite helpful. You'll also learn how to write precise emails.

I enjoyed it quite a lot - you go along with other people from your university so you develop quite a bit of camaraderie. The work isn't that easy but you can always ask people for help and they will give you coaching. You do need to work overtime though - that's expected of you, but you get paid overtime as well!

Quite structured - PwC have been doing this placement for around 10-20 years now which means they know what they're doing. You receive training at the start of your placement and throughout the placement, you also receive additional help and advice from either the course admin or the flying start alumni.

You receive quite a bit of support from your employer - they give training and also help with expensing any claims you have. If need be, you can also request accommodation, which they pay for, and it's normally quite close to the office you'll go to. You also receive a laptop, phone, bag, etc, though you need to return those at the end of placement.

My course works towards our qualifications in university so this isn't that applicable to this placement. However, I do know others in the firm who need to take Kaplan training and the firm is somewhat supportive of them. They get a few days to go to college and study for the exam.

I am doing the ICAEW exams and they definitely help with my role. A lot of the things in the exams are applied to real life. Some of the things I definitely would not have known unless I did the exams, and though I could ask for help, it was helpful to know them already.

Definitely - the firm holds socials where everyone can get together to chat and socialise. Some of these are work events where there are presentations being held, but others are just casual meetups. Though I have not been on any myself, there are definitely team sports teams which you can sign up to.

Yes

Although it's difficult with having to work overtime often and sometimes you don't understand things, I believe that having such a supportive environment, whether it be your team or the firm as a whole, can definitely help with easing the pressure. I enjoyed my time here a lot and I'm sure others would too.

Be friendly and kind to others - these are your work colleagues, but knowing them better will definitely help you in the long run. You will be expected to work overtime, sometimes until very late, so having a good routine will definitely help ease the pressures of working long hours. Also, read up on current business news events.