Iseoluwa Ogunnaike’s Post

Hi network! Following on from my recent post, I am extremely grateful and pleased to accept the role of degree apprenticeship in audit and assurance at Deloitte! The interview and assessment process was challenging and exciting, and I’m glad I made it out the other end! When I first applied, I didn’t know much about the degree apprenticeship process, and I thought I’d share some of the lessons I’ve learned: My top tips for this experience: Self Belief: at every stage of the interview, I thought I did horribly, yet I still made it through, so try not to doubt yourself. Research: ensure you are well read on current affairs related to finance and technology (or topics related to your given field) Practise public speaking: speak slowly and confidently. Don't be afraid to pause for a few seconds to reflect and ensure you understand the question. If not, make sure you ask to clarify. Understanding: make sure you research exactly what your apprentice role includes and what education you will undertake alongside this. A common interview question is why you are passionate about your sector, so ensure you have a truthful and coherent answer. Support: there are 1000s of students who apply to the degree apprenticeship roles per season. I utilised internet forums and friends/family for advice and confidence-building. Lots of people have been through similar experiences so I suggest seeking out some advice if unsure. Stay calm: before my interview, I found it beneficial to sit in a local park and mentally prepare myself. Remember, you know what you're talking about and you've got this! Once again, I am very proud and grateful for this highly coveted opportunity!

If you’re worried about not having secured an apprenticeship…my simple advice to you is don’t be! 💪 I was forced into a gap year when my a-level results 📜 didn’t meet PwC’s entry requirements. I took a year out, improved my grades, developed my soft skills, and secured a better apprenticeship offer at the NAO 🏢 the following year. Moral of the story is don’t fixate on the rejection 📉, keep it moving, and focus on the solution. 📈 What is meant for you, will reach you even it is beneath two mountains. 🏔 🏔 What is not meant for you, won't reach you even if it is between your two lips. #apprenticeships #rejection #careers #alevels #btec

Students and recent graduates aren’t being given enough support in their job search… I remember vicvidly during my time as a university student the support I had from a friend in the year above who helped me through internships and grad applications. His guidance helped me prepare for online assessments and technical interviews where without him I would have lacked direction and probably not secured the internships I did However, not everyone has the benefit or opportunity to have a mentor/person to guide them through applications and help them navigate the different stages - and this isn’t fair So we at FO Perspectives have decided to change this! This is why we’ve launched our weekly Q&As focused on anything related to applications and job search! These weekly Q&A’s are open to all students and graduates and you’ll be able to have any questions or concerns answered by our team who between us have secured apprenticeships, internships and grad schemes at KPMG, BlackRock, Accenture, Willis Towers Watson and Aon Our first one will be this Friday 4th October from 7-8.30pm❗️ Sign up here to get your ticket - https://lnkd.in/ede5Q_tb We’ll be initially limiting our capacity at 70 attendees for now so we can get through everyone’s questions in sessions but we’ll be increasing the amount in upcoming weeks! Make sure to follow FO Perspectives for further information! ♻️Repost to share with other students and graduates who may benefit from it

🌟 Insightful Evening with KPMG 🌟 Last night, I had the privilege of attending Insight into KPMG an inspiring and informative online event hosted by Young Professionals. It was a fantastic opportunity to hear from KPMG apprentices like Hope Deathridge, Nicole Gavaza, Jon Evans, Nadia Dabbagh-Hobrow, Ben Chapman and Sarah Agho . The session provided an exclusive look into life at one of the world’s leading professional services firms. Hearing their personal journeys, challenges, and successes was truly motivating! ✨Key takeaways from the event✨ 💼 What KPMG looks for in candidates: 1️⃣ Career motivation 2️⃣ Drive for quality 3️⃣ Demonstration of integrity 4️⃣ Effective communication 💡 Top tips from the speakers: ✔️ Be yourself ✔️ Apply as early as possible ✔️ Be specific in your applications The advice shared was incredibly valuable—not just for the KPMG apprenticeship process, but for navigating the early stages of any career. Attending this session not only broadened my understanding of what KPMG offers but also highlighted the importance of authenticity, preparation, and clarity in any professional setting. Thank you to Dan M. and the incredible panel of speakers for sharing your insights! 🙌 If you’re considering a career in professional services or exploring apprenticeship opportunities, I highly recommend learning more about KPMG and events like this. #KPMG #YoungProfessionals #Apprenticeships #Careers #Networking #ProfessionalGrowth

I'm delighted to announce that I have accepted my offer to join KPMG UK as an Audit Apprentice (Glasgow)! Like myself, many are familiar that the journey of seeking apprenticeships can be daunting, filled with highs and lows - all while balancing academic studies. The effort required to keep pushing despite the setbacks is often underestimated. It’s vital that we use rejection as a motivator for our success, never let it hold you back! Today, I stand before you with a simple message: age should never be a barrier to your dreams, ambitions, or aspirations. Too often, society imposes limits based on age, relegating individuals into predefined boxes of what they can or cannot achieve. Age is merely a number, a marker of the passage of time, but it should never define who you are or what you are capable of accomplishing. Whether you are in your teens, twenties, thirties, fifties, or beyond, your potential knows no bounds. Indeed, with age comes wisdom, experience, and a wealth of knowledge that can propel you forward on your journey. Embrace the wisdom gained from years of living, but never let it become an excuse for complacency or inaction. Instead, channel your experiences into fuel for your ambitions. Let them ignite a fire within you, driving you to reach new heights and conquer new challenges. Remember, every setback is an opportunity for growth, and every obstacle is a chance to prove your resilience. Taking this into account, as a 16 year old coming into a “Big 4” financial firm I am fully aware of the challenges that I will face however, every challenge is an opportunity, every setback is a lesson and every success, a milestone on the path to greatness. I will endlessly be grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to see where it will take me! #KPMG #Apprentice #Network #Uptree #Apprenticeships Uptree

Ey have now released their degree apprenticeships. Last year I got my offer from EY so let me help you get yours. (No you don’t have to DM me anything.) A lot of people say to learn about the company you’re applying for but no one really says how or to what extent. A misconception is that all you need to do is learn about the role and read the “about us”. It’s important to still do that but to set yourself apart I recommend you go way above and beyond. One simple way of doing this is by finding those 100+ page reports and reading them.📖 And keep reading them till you have a portfolio of points which you can then use to enforce the points you make for either being a good candidate or why you decided to apply. For example: I believe I’m a good fit for “company” because after reading “ABC report” I noted how “name” who is the “position” said “quote” and this is something I really resonate with “why and example”. If you’re not applying for the Big 4 you can still very much use that frame work.🙌 Let me know if this is something you’re considering using.🤝 #degreeapprenticeships #EY #application

For the second consecutive year, PwC have been voted the UK’s number one graduate employer in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers survey 2024 which takes into account interviews from over 14,000 final year students across 20 UK universities.   The firm saw over 1,500 graduates and school leavers join over the course of 2024 with over 450 students also completing the summer internship programme.   Alongside this news, PwC have also introduced their Advancing Social Mobility Pathway this year as part of the firms Diversity in Business initiative, helping to boost the confidence and experience of first-year university students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and provide an insight into the opportunities available at PwC.   Read here: https://lnkd.in/eUHzUGPy.

Hello Network, Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to attend an event hosted by one of the Big Four – EY organised by the The Black Apprentice Network (BAN). It was an inspiring evening filled with valuable insights, networking, and interactive learning. Here’s a breakdown of the key highlights I took away from the event: 🌟 EY Service Lines/Functional Areas We were introduced to EY’s main service lines: • Assurance • Tax • Strategy • Transaction 🌟 The Apprentice Panel It was a privilege to hear from apprentices Rachel Daramola Rodney Kaggwa, Maria Oduyemi and Grace Matema Matema. They shared their experiences at EY, discussing why the firm stood out to them, some challenges during their application journeys (including rejections from other firms that led them to EY), and answered insightful questions from the audience. 🌟 Networking Session I had the chance to connect with aspiring apprentices who shared their career aspirations and motivations. 🌟 Interactive Activity We were guided through EY’s assessment process, where I applied my mathematical skills to solve real world problems.This also included examples of motivational videos and tips on how to stand out during the application stage. I’m incredibly grateful to The Black Apprentice Network (BAN) and EY for this fantastic opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. It has reinforced my ambition to pursue a meaningful career and given me new tools to navigate the apprenticeship landscape. #EY #BANNetwork #ApprenticeshipJourney #Networking #CareerDevelopment

✨ Reflecting on My Visit to PwC Manchester in 2023! ✨ Last year, I had the fantastic opportunity to attend a Degree Apprenticeship event hosted at PwC Manchester. The event brought together some incredible companies, including Arup, BAE Systems, BBC, National Security organizations, and many more, all showcasing their degree apprenticeship programs. 🌟 The experience was eye-opening and inspiring, as it highlighted how these leading organizations are committed to nurturing young talent through innovative career pathways. Hearing from current apprentices about their experiences made it clear how impactful this route can be for personal and professional growth. Key Advice for Anyone Considering a Degree Apprenticeship: ✔️ Explore all your options: Each company offers unique roles and opportunities—find one that aligns with your passions and career goals. ✔️ Make connections: Events like these are perfect for networking with employers and asking questions to understand what they’re looking for. ✔️ Be proactive and prepared: Research the companies in advance and think about how you can stand out as a potential apprentice. Degree apprenticeships are an incredible way to earn, learn, and grow simultaneously. If you’re looking for a career path that combines academic learning with real-world experience, this could be the perfect fit for you. Thank you to PwC Manchester and all the amazing organisations that participated in the event. The day left a lasting impression and inspired me to pursue opportunities that blend education and industry experience. 🚀 #DegreeApprenticeships #CareerDevelopment #PwC #Networking #FutureLeaders

MAN5060: Competencies - The PwC Experience After today's lesson on competencies by Linlan Huang , I attended a PwC event. Two of their employees kindly spoke to attendees about the various opportunities that were open to current students and those who were due to graduate in the near future. Focusing on the job description and the specific competencies were the main takeaways. Know what you're applying for and research the role and the company extremely well (!) Coincidentally,for my MAN5060 assignment,I have to choose specific competencies and provide evidence of achieving them. Nice link between something I'm studying and the summer internship I'm going to apply for 😃 Another thing made me think (from uni all the way back home on the bus). That was self-belief. A year ago, I spoke with people from PwC who came to BCU at a career event. I knew they were one of the biggest companies in the UK,but at the time I didn't believe I had any chance. What has changed? I became the top-performing student in 1st yr of the HRM course. That in itself resulted in a change in how I think about myself and my career opportunities. I'm daring to dream BIG! There's fierce competition, which the speakers reminded us of. Ok. I'm not afraid of failure. I would regret not applying simply because thousands of other students are also hungry for a summer internship. I believe I have as good a chance as anyone else ☺️ Wiktoria Garczarczyk Hansa B. Morgan Williams - dare to dream and make the impossible possible!