Putting yourself out there can feel uncomfortable, but that’s where growth happens. It’s easy to stick with what you know, but stepping into the unknown is how you learn and expand your skills. For example, when I applied for the EY Degree Apprenticeship, I was nervous about putting myself in such a competitive environment. But the challenge of the application process pushed me to improve my skills, prepare thoroughly, and stay focused. While it was tough at times, the sense of achievement when I received the offer was unforgettable. Overcoming challenges like that builds confidence and shows you what you’re capable of. The more you embrace discomfort, the more you realize how much you can grow.

Match your values to the company that you are applying to and make sure both what they do within work projects and outside of this engages your interests so that you have the motivation to develop yourself professionally and personally throughout your career journey. It will always present much more positively if you are truly excited and enjoy what you will do in your daily role.

Based on training sessions I have attended and the induction session we have had, the most common advice given to us was ' Ask questions.' And I absolutely abide by it. I always ask lots of questions! My colleagues always remind me that there is no such a thing as a silly question. They are always happy to answer my questions and provide me with context on what I'm doing, why I'm doing it and more importantly, advise on the approach I should take to action a task. This helped me gain an insight into the wider picture of the engagement, helping me understand the client better.