Finance Graduate Review

Overall, I have had a very positive experience at Virgin Media O2. The Finance Graduate Scheme has provided a supportive environment where I have been able to develop both professionally and personally. The rotational structure has given me exposure to different areas of finance, helping me build a broad understanding of the business while developing a diverse range of skills. The culture across the organisation has been welcoming and collaborative, with colleagues and managers always willing to provide support and share their knowledge. The strong support offered for professional studies and exams has also been a significant benefit and has helped me balance my qualification alongside work commitments.

Throughout my rotations, I have been responsible for a variety of activities including financial reporting, forecasting, performance analysis, stakeholder engagement, business partnering and process improvement. My most recent role involved ownership of reporting packs, supporting forecasting activities, analysing business performance and presenting insights to stakeholders.
The aspect I have enjoyed most is the variety of experiences offered through the graduate scheme. Each rotation has provided exposure to different teams, challenges and ways of working, allowing me to continuously learn and develop. I have particularly enjoyed working with stakeholders across the business, using data and financial analysis to support decision-making, and taking ownership of projects and reporting improvements.

I feel that my role provides excellent opportunities to contribute meaningfully and make a real impact. Throughout my rotations, I have been trusted with important responsibilities and encouraged to take ownership of my work. I have been able to contribute to key reporting, forecasting and analysis activities that support business decisions. My managers and colleagues have consistently valued my input, welcomed new ideas and provided opportunities to take on additional responsibilities, which has helped me feel like a valued member of each team.

I believe the compensation package offered through the graduate scheme is competitive and reflects the responsibilities of the role. In addition to salary, I particularly value the support provided for professional qualifications and exams, which demonstrates the company's investment in employee development. I have also found benefits such as flexible working arrangements, annual leave, pension contributions and employee discounts to be valuable. Together, these benefits contribute positively to both my professional development and overall wellbeing.

The role has prepared me extremely well for my future career. The graduate scheme provides a unique opportunity to experience multiple areas of finance, helping to build both technical and behavioural skills. Through exposure to different teams, systems and stakeholders, I have developed a broader understanding of the business and gained valuable experience that will benefit me in future roles. The scheme has also helped me improve my communication, problem-solving, stakeholder management and analytical skills alongside my professional qualification studies.

The support I have received throughout the Finance Graduate Scheme has been excellent. Before starting I was introduced to my manager to hear about what I would be doing once I start and I also had a buddy who I could ask questions to hear about their personal experience on the scheme and get their advice. Throughout the scheme, my managers have consistently made time to provide guidance, regular feedback and development opportunities, while also trusting me with meaningful responsibilities. The wider graduate support network, especially the scheme leads and fellow graduates, has helped create a positive experience. I have particularly valued the support provided around professional studies and exams, which has enabled me to balance work commitments with my qualification. Across each rotation, colleagues have been approachable, supportive and willing to share their knowledge, making it easy to settle into new teams and learn quickly. The only thing I would say is that due to multiple office locations and people based all over, sometimes part of your team will be in different offices meaning less face to face contact with these people.

I feel I have a good work-life balance. The flexibility offered allows me to effectively manage both my professional responsibilities and personal commitments, including studying for professional exams. Managers have been supportive in helping me balance workloads during busy periods, and the hybrid working model provides additional flexibility. Overall, I feel the role supports both my wellbeing and development, allowing me to perform effectively while maintaining a healthy balance outside of work. I would say though that during peak exam periods you do have to sacrifice a lot of your time but that is just the downside of the qualification but worth the sacrifice in the long term. Also alongside your studies and workload, there is also an expectation to participate in extra curriculum activities which can be quite time consuming at times.

The culture at Virgin Media O2 is welcoming, collaborative and inclusive. Across all of my rotations, I have found colleagues to be approachable, supportive and genuinely invested in helping others succeed. The company's values are reflected in the way teams work together, share knowledge and encourage development. The hybrid working model also provides flexibility while still maintaining strong team connections and collaboration. As a graduate, I have felt comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas and taking on new challenges in a supportive environment.

Virgin Media O2 demonstrates a strong commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. There are a range of initiatives, awareness events and employee networks that help create an environment where people feel respected, valued and able to be themselves. For example, we recently had the opportunity to attend a skill up session for inclusive communication where we could learn simple everyday behaviours we can all adopt to create a more inclusive workplace. We were also able to learn some British sign language, helping us to build our awareness and understanding. The organisation actively promotes inclusion and encourages open conversations around diversity, helping to foster a positive and supportive workplace culture for everyone.

Yes

I would recommend Virgin Media O2, particularly its Finance Graduate Scheme, due to the breadth of experience, development opportunities and supportive culture it provides. The rotational structure allows graduates to gain exposure to multiple areas of finance, helping them develop a broad skill set and a strong understanding of the business. The organisation also provides excellent support for professional qualifications and career development. Overall, it has been a valuable experience that has helped prepare me for my future career.

The role has met and, in many cases, exceeded my expectations. The recruitment process accurately reflected the variety, responsibility and development opportunities available through the graduate scheme. The rotational structure has provided valuable exposure to different areas of finance, while the level of responsibility and support offered has enabled me to build confidence and develop both technical and professional skills. The experience has given me a much broader understanding of the business than I initially expected.