PwC Talent Academy candidate Review

I greatly enjoyed the insight as it not only allowed me to learn more about the various areas and departments that PwC works in but also allowed me to meet peers from across the country as well as the opportunity to network with partners. A thoroughly enjoyable experience.

I felt very valued during my time at PwC. This is in part due to them going out of their way to accommodate me an extra night due to the length of my travel, as well as being picked up from and taken back to the airport on arrival and departure.

Guidance and Support was limited during the insight due to the seriousness of it - psychometric tests, group assessments, individual written assessments and presentations to partners were all undertaken during the insight period. However, guidance as to how to approach these was given as well as support up to the beginning of each assessment.

I felt that I was able to greatly develop my communication skills since up to 80 other peers were attending this insight talent academy. Having to work with these people, whom I had never met before, will help me not just in my degree studies but also when I land a graduate job.

Overall, the insight was structured well, though I feel that having psychometric tests first thing in the morning could have hindered some people due to not being so sharp. We were also given detailed, lengthy talks about the various sectors that PwC work in, which in hindsight could have been shortened to allow more time for preparation for the presentation work.

The general atmosphere was terrific. On the first night we had an informal social night where we could network with peers and talk to various employees at PwC over drinks and dinner. The second night, during our 'down' time, we had the opportunity to dine with partners before retreating to the lounge where we could mix with partners whilst playing pool or watching football, over a drink. To top it all, PwC hired out an ice cream van on our last day, Atmosphere wise, it could not, in my personal opinion, have been any better.

As we were only there for 3 days, there was not a great deal of time for PwC to give us any real personal training and development other than to allow us to work in groups and develop core skills that way. However, in monetary terms, for over 80 people for 2 nights (3 for some depending on travel distance), including 3 meals a day, free drinks, transport and hiring of most of the conference halls, an awful lot of money was invested in us.

I felt that I was given a useful insight into the various career pathways - Deals, Forensics, Assurance, Tax & Consultancy. We were given detailed speeches regarding what the typical employee does in each of these fields.

Since we were not actually in the PwC offices, I don't believe that we were given a great insight into the company and its work culture.

I think it was quite helpful. Previously, I had only known a little about the various options I had. However, I felt that PwC sufficiently explained the various options and helped me to , at the very least, decide which pathway I would like to intern in.

I was reimbursed expenses up to £150, meaning that I only had to pay an excess of £7 for my flights. All other expenses were covered.

There were ample opportunities to network and meet other employees of PwC. Employees were present every day during formal time and at night there were opportunities to network with peers as well as partners of the firm.

They were very enjoyable. They were not compulsory to attend and they were not too formal, so you did not feel as though you had to be permanently in professional mode. The partners were very eager to hear about us and the networking with peers was great fun as we had the opportunity to meet those our own age, perhaps who we may work with in the future.

Only if we asked employees ourselves. However, there are seemingly a lot of sporting activities, football and hockey amongst others, that are available to employees.

Absolutely. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and one which I would recommend in a heartbeat. Even if it leads to nought, you still get to meet peers which to me is invaluable.