Amelia is a Mathematics student from UCL. She secured an Audit internship with PwC in London, through Bright Network. 
First, please tell us a little about yourself.
“Since a young age I have always been a fan of problem solving and being competitive. My love of Mathematics fuelled this passion and I knew I wanted to pursue it further at university.
Alongside this, I love getting stuck into various crafts, volunteering and inspiring others by sharing my knowledge. My best qualities are determination, inquisitiveness and critical thinking, so with these traits it was clear to me that professional services and finance were the way to go.”
What motivated you to apply for your role?
“At the IEUK 2024, I had the chance to practice audit tasks provided by PwC. This experience made me realise that it combined tasks that are both simulating and gratifying.
Further research, insights from people and virtual work simulations encouraged me to apply for audit roles. Reading through PwC’s webpages I felt a sense of trust from how thorough and transparent the firm is in their promises and what they stand for.
PwC's continuous effort in creating and initiating plans, along with their accountability, is evident from their news and active participation as a prime presenter at early career events, which is why PwC became my top choice when it came to applying for internships.”
What was the application process like?
“For this role, I went through four stages. The first was the application form which confirmed eligibility; second were the online assessments; third was the video interview; and finally, was the virtual assessment centre.
I always felt prepared at every stage of the process, thanks to PwC's various preparation materials and in-depth insight into their recruitment process. Their questions were not designed to catch you out, test your technical abilities or recall previous experiences, instead they were aimed at determining your enthusiasm for the role and company.
It was also my first time participating in an assessment centre, so I found it challenging to figure out the best approach to tackle the tasks. However, apart from the interview, I found that it really just tested your abilities, so there was no overwhelming feeling of needing to prepare extensively!”
How did Bright Network help you secure your role?
“I first met PwC and their ambassadors during Bright Network’s IEUK. They truly stood out as having an amazing early careers team and made their firm memorable. It was a pleasure to hear more about them and their recruitment process at further Bright Network events such as Women in Leadership 2024, and FESTIVAL.”
What are you most proud of about your journey?
“I’m most proud of my journey, going from being very shy and hesitant at taking opportunities, to now embracing challenges and loving the chance to interact with new people.
It was challenging to discover the best and most effective methods when applying for internships. From online and in-person interactions, I found there was no single 'correct' approach, so it took a lot of self-belief, intuition and advice to navigate the process.
This was my first time applying for jobs, so seeing myself progress through even a few internship stages was energising.”
What have you learnt from going through the process?
“I learnt that genuine passion for the role and company drives you to perform at your best. I also learnt that the smallest of mistakes, while they may feel large and overbearing, are valuable learning opportunities.
I was pleasantly surprised at the unique approach PwC chose for their application process which focused on well-roundedness rather than solely recruiting from a certain skill set.
I wish I knew that I didn't need to have every skill or ability to succeed. I showed my true self during the process but it's great to remind yourself that you don't need to be the loudest in the room or write the longest reports.”
What are your tips for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
“I highly recommend assessing your free time and energy levels to match the number of internships you will apply to. You don't want to overwork yourself but also want to give yourself the best chance at landing an offer. I knew that I could only prepare appropriately and display my enthusiasm in interviews by focusing on a few favourite job opportunities.
Initially, I was inefficient when searching for the right internships and would collect every firm’s press information. I now would avoid that approach – the best resources to use are the firms’ websites, talking to friends and employees, LinkedIn and of course, Bright Network.”
Tell us about the future. What’s next?
“I’m most looking forward to meeting new people and hearing about their experience and expertise.
I hope to discover more about the qualities and tasks I’m best suited to and aim to develop my skills in a way that supports my professional growth.
This is a new door opening in my career journey and with numerous new opportunities that I’ve never experienced before, I’m sure I’ll learn a lot!”
Find insight schemes, graduate jobs, internships and more at Bright Network.
