Intern/AS1 Review

Initially there was little structured work to do, the nature of the jobs I had been placed on being fluid and in the end they weren't in progress when I arrived. So for the first week and a half it was not terribly exciting doing odd-jobs. However when I got out to clients on jobs it became a lot more rewarding and engaging. Everyone from the PwC team was approachable, enthusiastic and keen to help me develop.

Being treated the same as a first year graduate team member meant I was given plenty of work to get on with, not sheltered by just being given menial chores. No matter how busy people were, the PwC coaching ethic meant they were always more that willing to stop and give you a few minutes of help however often you asked or how much work they had themselves. There were plenty of invitations to go and socialise with the teams whether during lunch or after work.

PwC places a lot of focus on coaching and feedback, top down, bottom up and across work levels so everyone is constantly available both to offer technical guidance, advice on client interaction and feedback after work is completed. Feedback was always useful and constructive and it didn't matter how much you had worked with someone when asking for assistance or feedback, everyone in the office was willing to help, from first years to senior managers.

Initially it was frustrating as the job I had been placed on had been held up, so the first week consisted of emailing or having other people emailing around the office asking if anyone had work I could help with. Generally there was something to do, however it wasn't extremely engaging work and it didn't feel particularly like it was helping you develop. Once out at clients', however, it was a really focused work environment. There was always work to be getting on with and people stay til the day's work is done, not just clocking off at 5. Generally I was starting just after 8am and finishing sometime after 6pm, just eating a sandwich at the desk whilst working.

There wasn't a sense of being sheltered at all during the placement. Whilst, of course, much of the work was too complex for me to jump straight in with, I was given the same responsibility as a first year at the firm. With everyone so willing to give assistance there's no issue with being given responsibility for important work which is an integral part of the job. All work, not just junior members', is reviewed, so there was the comfort in knowing that any mistakes would be picked up, without feeling I was burdening the team by needing someone to go over all my work again. On my main client job I was the most regular member of the team, with most people only staying there for a few days then being on other jobs. This meant that whilst I could ask them for help on the actual 'how to' aspects of the work I was a lot more familiar with other aspects of the work and client team so was able to contribute plenty.

Coming from a science degree I certainly learnt a lot more about business workings than I have before. Seeing how audit teams actually function and what the day to day work is was very interesting and helpful, because, being so varied, it's hard to establish it by online research. The client facing time was incredibly useful and productive and certainly something which will be useful whatever I go on to. Gaining experience in judging people, how to approach them with requests, what kind of manner they respond best to was very useful. It turns out everyone responds very well to cake.

A very focused office, but while everyone is working, they're approachable at any time and willing to help you no matter how busy they are. Everyone works hard but is always up for socialising when the chance presents itself.

The uncertainty of the projects I had been assigned to meant the the first week and a half felt a little thrown together, which was not what I had expected from such a big firm. Once I go onto client work it was very well run, but spoiled a little by a slow start.

A whole first week of induction, training and getting to know the other interns was a great start. Of course you expect to hear from the trainers that there's a big focus on personal development and coaching, but I was surprised to find how true that was once I reached the office and everyone, no matter what level of seniority was willing to help you with whatever you were doing.

The feedback my people manager received from everyone I worked with was incredibly positive and since the internship application process is the same route but more competitive than the graduate application process, they are keen to offer a job if you have impressed whilst there. The focus on personal development is really attractive when considering working there in the future.

The pyramidal structure of the firm means there are plenty of young people to socialise with. Work hard and play plenty is probably a fair comment because there's not a pressure to go over board with social events, but there's a lot going on and a good mix of company run events and social people in the office who organise things off their own back.

Coming from university in London, Sheffield was considerably cheaper. Seemed even more so given I was earning. Not the cheapest ever, but certainly more than affordable. Also, combining working and still having a student card worked wonders.

I was living with friends from the city, so we had plenty of evening socialising. Some good nights, some not so good, plenty of eventful ones. If I hadn't had them to go out with then there were people in the office going out at weekends who were more than welcoming.

Plenty of events were organised by the company and by individuals. I was constantly getting internal emails about events, so there was certainly not lack of things to keep entertained with.