Insider profil
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Top Insider Advice
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.
Career path
Digital Apprentice
EY UK
From 09/2023 to 12/2024Company
What do you like about your job and the company?
Back in school my favorite subjects were Mathematics and Economics, I enjoy working with numbers and money, so the financial work highly interests me. I also really enjoy working with people, building relationships and connections. Working in a team environment gives me an opportunity to make an impact on people and the business, which is one of my biggest goals. One of my motivations is to get to position to influence the business processes, and improve efficiency and sustainability in the company.
Greatest achievements
I was so grateful to be given the opportunity to go to London, and be one of 4 people to take part in a a photo and video shoot for EY. The whole day was an amazing experience, with an external branding team managing the shoot on the day. I made good connections with everyone there, and put myself out there for future opportunities. Definitely one of the biggest achievements during my career to date, despite it being not that long.
Sophie P
Top Insider Advice
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.
Ross W
Top Insider Advice
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!
