Work Experience Review

Throughout the week I shadowed various members of the different departments located in PwC and took part in activities descriptive of whatever department I happened to be in that day including tax and transactional services in a business context.

I have learnt over the course of the week how to use Microsoft Exel to produce and modify spreadsheets, including the use of formulas which increase the accessibility of this software. I also improved my numerical capabilities as the employees explained to me how to calculate certain aspects of tax and different kinds of sums I needed to use to complete my tasks.

I very much enjoyed my program in that I was able to see how the global firm PWC operates from the inside and I got a far better understanding of what the company does; it is a lot more than basic accounting. I enjoyed increasing my knowledge and applying my current knowledge of the business world to the tasks I was set. At the end of the week we worked on a real client project and put together a presentation which I enjoyed because it really gave a taster of what working in business is really like.

I felt very valued by PwC. All of the employees I met were extremely helpful and friendly towards me, answering in a considerate level of depth any questions I had and helping me with anything I was unsure of. We were reminded of the competitive application process we all went through to get on to the work experience which increased our self worth and value in the company's eyes as we were chosen above others. At the end of the week we were told about all of the career opportunities within PwC and encouraged to join. This made me feel valued as it felt as if they wanted me as part of their business.

My program was meticulously organised. The student recruitment officer, Hannah, was fantastic at her job and the week ran like clockwork. Our time management skills were consistent throughout the week and we never had a dull moment. At the beginning we had ice breakers to acquaint ourselves with our peers which set off the week on a positive note. The week finished with networking and food which ended it on a positive note, leaving me with a very positive impression of the company as well as very fond memories. The work experience has made me want to include PwC in my future.

Our training provider was excellent. She was very nice and extremely approachable- any queries or questions I had were answered in detail and with enthusiasm so I felt comfortable asking all of the questions I wanted to know the answers to. Our training provider organised the week meticulously and ensured we always knew what we had to do- there were never any awkward moments where we were unsure what we were supposed to be doing. Our training provider made sure we were comfortable at all times which helped ease our nerves so we could make the most of the week.

Our employer was very supportive. The company as a whole worked together to make sure we always knew what to do whilst keeping us engaged with useful information about hat it's like to work at PwC. The support from the employer was well appreciated as it made me feel comfortable, satisfied and happy in the environment I was working in.

My salary was able to cover my transport and any meals I had to pay for which suited me well as I still had some money left over to invest into other ventures. I found the salary to be a very satisfying amount and covered my costs as well as leaving me some for myself.

I spoke to all of the employees that I could about the social life outside of the office and they all told me with great enthusiasm about all of the events PwC organised for their employees to unwind and enjoy themselves such as barbecues and formal dinners. This encourages me to join the firm as it seems like a happy place to work.

Yes

It is a fantastic firm which provides a wealth of opportunities so it's great to have on your CV as well as giving you an insight into business. The week was really fun and interesting so I would also recommend it for that reason.

I would encourage them to increase their business acumen and work at their IT skills as well as modelling their application on the PwC 'whole leadership' diagram and develop themselves around that.