Technology Degree Apprentice Review
at PwC
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Birmingham
Review Submitted: March 2022
Overall Rating
3.8 /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!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
3.4/5
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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:
4/5
During university term-time, I go to university the same as every other student. I attend lectures, complete assignments and am take part in all of the wonderful extra-curricular opportunities available at university.
While on placement, I've been working in a technology team, using software such as Alteryx, Tableau and Google Apps Script to automate other people's work,
While on placement, I've been working in a technology team, using software such as Alteryx, Tableau and Google Apps Script to automate other people's work,
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
My work is quite interesting, and I am often engaged in problem solving. I get to do a large variety of work, so am rarely bored of doing the same thing.
My team is amazing - especially my manager who's very supportive. If you need help, people will be there for you, and there's no big pressure in my team to get things done.
The company culture is quite corporate but not as intense as many other big companies - you can still wear casual clothes to the office, and chat about casual things.
As a whole, I've really really enjoyed the programme and feel very lucky to be on it.
My team is amazing - especially my manager who's very supportive. If you need help, people will be there for you, and there's no big pressure in my team to get things done.
The company culture is quite corporate but not as intense as many other big companies - you can still wear casual clothes to the office, and chat about casual things.
As a whole, I've really really enjoyed the programme and feel very lucky to be on it.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I've learned to use several new types of software, such as Alteryx (in which I've attained an Alteryx Core certification) for data processing, Tableau for data visualisation, UiPath for building bots and Google Apps Script for writing code to interact with Google Workspace - such as Google Sheets and Mail.
I've also gained professional skills of time management, organising meetings, networking and presenting in front of large groups.
I've also gained professional skills of time management, organising meetings, networking and presenting in front of large groups.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
It's fairly well structured - especially compartmentalising the time at university and work so that you can focus on each at a time.
The training is decent, although this depends on which team you're placed in.
The support at University of Birmingham is fantastic, the Computer Science degree program is well taught with some amazing academics.
The training is decent, although this depends on which team you're placed in.
The support at University of Birmingham is fantastic, the Computer Science degree program is well taught with some amazing academics.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
From my manager, I receive a lot of great support.
From the Degree Apprenticeship team, the support hasn't always been great, unfortunately. But you can find the support you need from other areas, like the university, for example.
The university has wellbeing teams and you are assigned a personal tutor, who is usually very helpful with any problems you might have.
From the Degree Apprenticeship team, the support hasn't always been great, unfortunately. But you can find the support you need from other areas, like the university, for example.
The university has wellbeing teams and you are assigned a personal tutor, who is usually very helpful with any problems you might have.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
Our Degree Apprenticeship skills are tracked using PebblePad - which is complicated and poorly communicated to us. This is one of the most annoying parts of the program, but fortunately it doesn't have that much of an impact on you.
The university support you well to achieving your Computer Science degree.
The university support you well to achieving your Computer Science degree.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The knowledge learned at university will make you a tech whizz, so you will easily adapt to the technology used at PwC. Your knowledge of code will also put you ahead when you join, as you have a skillset that not many others at PwC have - this will allow you to innovate new solutions.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
At university, you can join any number of societies - there are hundreds of choices. The University of Birmingham has a great selection of societies and sports clubs; for example, I've been involved with Yoga, MMA and Muay Thai.
At work, you can get volunteer for a few different initiatives, such as being a LGBTQ+ advocate, a race ambassador, or even get involved in the PwC Panto! I'm involved with the Sports Committee, helping to organise sports events for people across the firm.
At work, you can get volunteer for a few different initiatives, such as being a LGBTQ+ advocate, a race ambassador, or even get involved in the PwC Panto! I'm involved with the Sports Committee, helping to organise sports events for people across the firm.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend PwC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
This programme will give you the freedom to enjoy university to the fullest, because you won't have to worry about getting a part-time job, paying off loans or finding work experience. By the time you graduate, you will have almost 2 years of work experience, putting you ahead of most other graduates.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PwC?
Expect the application process to be long - there are many steps and it's competitive as there will be hundreds, if not thousands of applicants!
Just be authentic at every stage, if you try to be someone you're not, you might not be deemed as a good fit the role.
Just be authentic at every stage, if you try to be someone you're not, you might not be deemed as a good fit the role.
