One of the key messages I tell people applying for apprenticeships is to prepare. Research is paramount, and often assessments and interviews can be simply a matter of practicing. If you prepare for as many scenarios as possible, you are less likely to be caught off guard. The more you can practice your strengths, the better chance you have of performing under pressure. Additionally, take failure as a learning experience. From my personal experience, there are going to be many rejections, and the only way to see success is to take it lightly and improve on your mistakes. It's important to keep a positive outlook and treat each opportunity like a fresh start, because no matter how it may seem the hard work will most likely pay off.

Having joined EY straight from school, my willingness to learn has been instrumental in shaping my professional journey. It has allowed me to embrace new challenges with enthusiasm and curiosity, rather than fear or hesitation. This eagerness to learn has not only helped me to quickly pick up necessary skills and knowledge for my role, but has also shown to my colleagues that I am adaptable, have a growth mindset, and I am committed to delivering to the best of my ability. Remember, as an apprentice you are not expected to know all the answers, so don't be afraid to ask lots of questions and keep learning!

Something I've learnt a lot in this role - as cliche as it may sound - is that whenever you have doubts about something in your line of work, it's best to ask for a second opinion. Especially when you're new to the role, it can seem a little embarrassing having to ask a question every five minutes (for me, the one that stands out is having to ask whether I was allowed to use the office milk with my afternoon cup of tea), but there's really nothing to be afraid of. Everyone wants to see you do well - your manager wants to see you develop; your team want you to contribute effectively to the engagement; and the client wants to make sure that they're getting as much as possible out of your audit. Something to keep in mind is that you'll be working with people who were in your shoes not too long before you! On my first engagement, I've been lucky enough to work with my assigned "Buddy" (a member of staff a year ahead of you in your programme/apprenticeship), as well as a "Senior" (a newly qualified member of staff, usually with about 3-4 years of experience). They've been really good at reminding me that they had the same questions a year or two previously. You'll also have other graduates/business apprentices at the same stage as you - make sure you help each other along the way!