Research Technical Review
at PwC
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Belfast
Review Submitted: July 2020
Overall Rating
4.9 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
Building, testing and managing surveys as well as creating data tables for their results. Also worked in data visualisation where Tableau was used to create visual representations of survey data.
The different disciplines within the team would meet up frequently to discuss what each person was doing and how they were getting on. This was also a good opportunity to seek support if needed. I would also be in touch with project teams (those who are not on the tech team) to establish what needed to be done with individual projects to get them out to the client.
The different disciplines within the team would meet up frequently to discuss what each person was doing and how they were getting on. This was also a good opportunity to seek support if needed. I would also be in touch with project teams (those who are not on the tech team) to establish what needed to be done with individual projects to get them out to the client.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
It was brilliant - it was great to have the opportunity to learn on-the-job in a business environment and to be trusted to do high value work as well.
It was nice to be involved with a team that was so supportive from the start of placement right through to the end. It was particularly motivating that the team operates in a way where everyone feels equally valued by each other, and that position in the office doesnt come into it.
It was nice to be involved with a team that was so supportive from the start of placement right through to the end. It was particularly motivating that the team operates in a way where everyone feels equally valued by each other, and that position in the office doesnt come into it.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Communication skills have strengthened greatly - the team was greatly supportive of me from the moment I started placement and I was really grateful for this.
Proactivity was already strong prior to placement but working on time-bound projects allowed me to put this skill to use in a business environment.
Innovation was strengthened on this placement - PwC have a digital lab where staff can design and upload their own ideas for others to download. I participated in one of their digital academies and this pushed me to create two assets which had the aim of saving the team time in future projects.
Proactivity was already strong prior to placement but working on time-bound projects allowed me to put this skill to use in a business environment.
Innovation was strengthened on this placement - PwC have a digital lab where staff can design and upload their own ideas for others to download. I participated in one of their digital academies and this pushed me to create two assets which had the aim of saving the team time in future projects.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Very well, once we were up and running, there was generally work that needed to be done. We were involved in all relevant team meetings and were given the opportunity to get involved - one example would be our data capture calls where we would update the team on what was happening on our projects and we could seek support if needed.
At the start, there was a 2 week gap between our start date and our technology training which meant that we were limited on what we could do in the first couple of weeks.
At the start, there was a 2 week gap between our start date and our technology training which meant that we were limited on what we could do in the first couple of weeks.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
A substantial amount. my line manager, has been incredibly supportive throughout my placement year. In one particular instance, there was another colleague that felt that someone more senior should carry out a task I was doing. I did not believe this was the case and I was able to discuss this in confidencel. I was able to continue with this project afterwards.
My career coach, has been very supportive too - she answered any questions I had about placement, as well as questions about potentially coming back and what my options would be, should I be offered a contract.
My career coach, has been very supportive too - she answered any questions I had about placement, as well as questions about potentially coming back and what my options would be, should I be offered a contract.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
PwC were very supportive when it came to filling out my paperwork for university. This placement forms part of my degree programme and took the time to complete my line manager reports both in the middle and at the end of my placement. They were also keen to know what QUB wanted me to get out of this placement, and were able to offer me a cycle of experience in data visualisation to add to the list of new things I would be learning
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Very well - I feel that whenever I return to university, I will feel much more comfortable working in team projects, and will feel better equipped to take the lead in these.
Group work in university can be a bit daunting at first especially if you do not know the people you will be working with, but having the opportunity to work with new people throughout placement has allowed my confidence to grow greatly which will mean that projects should hopefully run more smoothly once im back at uni.
Group work in university can be a bit daunting at first especially if you do not know the people you will be working with, but having the opportunity to work with new people throughout placement has allowed my confidence to grow greatly which will mean that projects should hopefully run more smoothly once im back at uni.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Yes, there is so much to do outside of the office - one such event is the 'First Friday' event where everyone in the firm gets drinks vouchers for the local bar. It serves as a great opportunity to socialise and get to know people who you may not see during the week in the office. This is even more so true for me as our office was divided 1 month into placement to facilitate an expansion so we were physically cut off from the main office, but these events brought everyone back together again.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend PwC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
PwC are a fantastic company to work for - everybody is very supportive of each other and the company provides the platform for individuals to succeed in personal endeavours as well as business ones. Having the opportunity to work in a professional business environment during your university degree is a truly invaluable experience and will allow you to grow confidence in your own abilities, and allow you to develop new skills and maybe even learn something about yourself.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PwC?
Firstly - be yourself. In your career focus day, you don't want to be 'competing' with the people around you; it is important to work together to get tasks done.
Relish the opportunity to learn from others - EVERYBODY knows something that you don't, and taking the time to listen to what someone has to say could be the key to unlocking something special.
Patience - you won't be expected to know everything from the get-go, so don't panic if something doesn't make sense. Take the time to ask someone to explain it to you and things will be ok!
Relish the opportunity to learn from others - EVERYBODY knows something that you don't, and taking the time to listen to what someone has to say could be the key to unlocking something special.
Patience - you won't be expected to know everything from the get-go, so don't panic if something doesn't make sense. Take the time to ask someone to explain it to you and things will be ok!
