We caught up with Isra after she started her role at PwC to find out how it's all going, how the application process was and how she managed to convert her internship into a full time graduate role!
How did you find the role with PwC?
In my 2nd year, I came across the Bright Network stall at my Freshers Fair. A few days after signing up, I received an email regarding consulting firms. As a chemical engineering student, I wasn’t aware of any other career opportunities suitable for me apart from mainstream engineering jobs. Reading about consulting roles sparked an interest in me which led me to apply for consulting roles in my penultimate year. I found a summer internship role in technology consulting advertised on PwC’s website and applied directly.
Was there anything in the application process you found particularly tough? And how did you go about tackling it?
I hadn’t attended an assessment centre before this opportunity and therefore was nervous about facing the day. I was uncertain about the exercises I would be presented with and assessed on. To tackle my fear, I spent several hours reading what to expect and how to prepare for assessment centres. Bright Network has great articles to help in assessment centre preparations. Furthermore, I went through forums where applicants shared their experiences and followed their advice. For the 2 weeks prior to the assessment centre, all I did was “practice, practice, practice”.
How did you build your commercial awareness before interview?
The interview was the final stage of the application and I was very keen to give my best being so close to achieving the internship. I knew 2 weeks in advance about my interview, so I put aside some time each day to research STAR techniques, read news on the projects that PwC undertakes and network with consultants at the firm to understand what they do as part of their roles. I also prepared a list of all the potential interview questions one could be asked in an interview and I practiced through them to ensure I expressed myself clearly and confidently during the interview. Following my internship, I was offered a graduate role and I have now been happily working with PwC for over a year undertaking exciting technology projects.
How did Bright Network help you throughout your time at university?
I subscribed to Bright Network’s newsletter and would actively read it to understand the job market. The great range of job opportunities available on Bright Network provided me with a central repository for job applications. I also made use of the fast track job applications available to Bright Network members to speed up my applications. Finally, the articles on the website are very relevant to every job applicant and help give a starting point for applications all the way to the end of the application.
