WLV Careers & Employability’s Post

During the summer break, I explored potential career paths for my future endeavours. As a part of this pursuit, I sought and obtained acceptance into the Bright Network transformative four-day virtual program - IEUK 2024: Finance, Professional Services & Consulting. The program aims to provide an immersive experience by incorporating the following components: Participation in dedicated panel discussions to gain valuable insights into the professional landscape by engaging with authoritative representatives from esteemed organisations. This will enable me to cultivate a profound understanding of the industry and acquire essential tips for navigating the early stages of my career. Involvement in interactive workshops designed to facilitate audience engagement. The program will feature workshops conducted by prominent entities such as Deloitte, PwC, and ICAEW, where I will actively participate in exercises and receive constructive feedback on my performance. An opportunity to interact with Bright Network Alumni, allowing me to glean firsthand experiences from recent graduates about their career trajectories. This will equip me with valuable comprehension of their initial job pursuits, including expectations, effective job search strategies, and best practices for professional presentation. Participation in this four-day virtual program represents a pivotal step in my professional journey. Furthermore, I aspire to leverage this experience to explore additional internships and career prospects in the foreseeable future.

Hello everyone! I am pleased to share that I attended a 3-day IEUK internship experience in “Business, Operations & Marketing“ with Bright Network and in collaboration with other prestigious companies such as British Airways, BT Group, Clyde & Co and PwC among others. Here are my key takeaways: ☀️ Keynote with Sara Jones at BT Group 📝 Sara emphasised the inevitability of change in our careers. She encouraged us to always be ready to adapt, stay curious, and step out of our comfort zones. Don't let the fear of failure hold you back—rejection is just redirection! 📈 ☀️ Skills Session: Building Mental Resilience in Challenging Times⚡️ A big thank you to Ryan Mairs for this enlightening session. He highlighted the importance of destigmatising mental health in the workplace. Remember, these conversations are essential in a professional environment. Surround yourself with people who help you grow, take time to switch off and disengage from work—your health comes first! 🌷 ☀️ Graduate Panel🙋♀️ We had insights from four brilliant graduates: Sadie Askham, Mat Turner, Beatrix Popa, and Ruby Walter. One standout topic was dealing with rejection and building resilience when not hearing back from employers. Don't take it personally! Use it as a learning opportunity, take the feedback, and prepare for new applications. New opportunities are always around the corner, and once you secure a role, the past rejections will fade away. DONT GIVE UP!! ☀️ Ask Me Anything with Bright Network Alumni❓ We had a brief but valuable conversation with Aga Knopp at KPMG UK. Her advice was to build your soft skills through involvement in societies or part-time jobs to become a well-rounded individual. Also, during interviews, try not to over-rehearse—show your true personality! #mentalhealth #brightnetwork #finance #consulting #growth #rejection #KPMG

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.

Soft skills are just as important to show in the early stages of your career, especially in interviews! Thanks for joining the session :)

🌟 Celebrating Diverse Talent in Finance at Forvis Mazars 🌟 I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Celebrating Diverse Talent in Finance Webinar hosted by Forvis Mazars, and I wanted to share some key insights and experiences from this inspiring event! 💡 Emma Russell opened the session with a compelling introduction, emphasizing Mazars dedication to nurturing diverse talent and explaining the various career opportunities and recruitment processes within the firm. 💼 James Guy shared their experience in Public Sector Audit, detailing their day-to-day work with local councils and offering valuable insights into the audit profession. 🚀 Katie Pinder, a passionate advocate for future talent development, inspired attendees with her insights into Forvis Mazars' Future Talent strategy. She emphasized the importance of meaningful interactions and the firm’s commitment to creating opportunities for young professionals, including internships and early careers programs that help individuals reach their full potential. Davina D., who joined Forvis Mazars as an intern, reflected on her journey and experiences in Management Consulting, showcasing how the firm empowers interns to take on impactful roles. This event not only highlighted the diverse roles available at Forvis but also reinforced the importance of confidence, adaptability, and seizing opportunities for professional growth. I’m excited to apply these lessons to my own career journey! A big thank you to Forvis Mazars Group and all the speakers for this insightful session! 🌟 #ForvisMazars #FinanceCareers #DiverseTalent #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerDevelopment

🌟 Excited to Share My Experience as a PwC Brand Ambassador at University College London! 🌟 Last Thursday, I had the incredible opportunity to represent PwC at our in-person University campaign at UCL. Engaging with enthusiastic students about the myriad of opportunities at PwC and our unwavering commitment to sustainability and responsible growth was truly inspiring. Here's a quick recap of the key messages we shared: 📌 Applying for PwC: We welcome applications from students of all degree disciplines. No longer requiring a 2:1, we emphasize early applications as roles close when filled. Our refreshed Employability Hub offers invaluable support for the application process—keep an eye out for updates! 📌 Sustainability: Sustainability is a core value at PwC. We are dedicated to delivering sustained outcomes for our clients and the communities in which we operate, aligning with the values many students hold dear. 📌 Life at PwC: As an equal opportunities employer, we foster inclusivity in all our practices. PwC offers a competitive benefits package and salaries that progress as you grow with the firm. 📌 Our Programs: Open to students from all years and degree disciplines. 🏓 Women in Business / Black Talent in Business / Advancing Social Mobility: A 3-day paid work experience for 1st-year students from underrepresented groups, offering shadowing, networking, and potential future opportunities. 🏓 Summer Internships: Paid internships for penultimate-year students, involving client projects, community volunteering, and network building, with potential graduate job offers. 🏓 Undergraduate Work Placements: An 11-month paid placement for penultimate-year students, with full-time job offers for top performers following graduation. 🏓 Legal Summer Vacation Scheme: A two-week programme, with successful candidates offered full-time legal training contracts. We were thrilled to be voted Graduate Employer of Choice in The Times Top 100 survey for 2024, a testament to the value students place on our opportunities. 🥇 Sharing my PwC journey, the firm's vibrant culture, and our impactful work was incredibly rewarding. The students' enthusiasm was infectious, and I was delighted to answer their questions and provide insights into what makes PwC a fantastic place to start their careers. I can't wait to see these talented students join our PwC family sooner or later in the future! #PwC #Sustainability #GraduateOpportunities #DiversityAndInclusion #LifeAtPwC #PwCCareers #UniversityCampaign #UCL #BrandAmbassador

During this summer, I tried to explore the careers I might try in the future. To this end, I specifically applied for a Bright Network transformative four-day virtual programme - IEUK 2024: Finance, Professional Services & Consulting. Through the following process: I will attend dedicated panel discussions to gain unique insights into the workplace from reliable company representatives. This will help me understand the industry deeply and get tips on navigating my early career successfully. Interactive workshops with the audience IEUK will hold various workshops during these four days to promote participation and collaboration. I can participate in exercises set by Deloitte, PwC and ICAEW and receive feedback on my work. Meet Bright Network Alumni By directly hearing from recent graduates about the workplace. Understand how they got their first job - what to expect, where to look and how to present yourself. This four-day virtual programme may be a step in my job search. I also hope to get more internships or job opportunities in the future.

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!

Are you looking for a career opportunity that goes beyond just finance? Look no further than BDO, a leading global accounting and advisory firm that values more than just the bottom line. We believe in considering the impact on climate and work-life balance, as well as the value of human beings in our pursuit of success.    If you're a student looking to kick-start your career, BDO offers a wide range of opportunities to develop your skills and gain experience in the field. We have internships, working student ships, and starter functions available, all designed to help you grow and succeed in your chosen career path. But we don't just talk the talk - we walk the walk too. At BDO, we recognize that true value is about more than just financial gains. We take a step back and evaluate where we stand, considering the emotional value of our decisions as well. We're not afraid to question the outcome if it means making the right choice for everyone involved.    So why not come and meet us at our upcoming dinner or wine tasting event? You'll get the chance to learn more about what we can offer you, and get a first-hand look at the BDO approach to value. Sign up quickly via the SMW website. And if you're interested in joining our team, be sure to check out our vacancies at werkenbijbdo.nl! At BDO, we understand that new issues require new ideas. That's why we're committed to helping not only companies, but everyone move forward. After all, if you zoom out for a moment, you see the world better. BDO - a different view on value. We can't wait to meet you! 

🌟 Internship Experience UK - Day 1 (17/06) Highlights 🌟 💡The first day of the Internship Experience UK commenced with an inspiring welcome from Philip Yarrow of Bright Network, setting an enthusiastic tone for the day ahead. This was followed by an engaging keynote from Ajay Kabra from PwC, who drew upon his 20+ years of international experience to underscore the critical role of auditors in fostering trust in the financial market. Ajay also passionately advocated for diversity and inclusion, highlighting their pivotal importance in nurturing strong business relationships. 👂🏾Key Take-Home: You can’t be an expert in everything 💡The day continued with a workshop on leadership skills led by Joao Martins from Deloitte. I gained valuable insights into essential leadership attributes and practical strategies for honing these skills.  💡The afternoon featured insightful panel sessions on diversity and inclusion, covering topics such as "Advancing Women in STEM," "Black Heritage Industry Perspectives," and "Workforce of Tomorrow”, with a panel of experts: Anna Henderson, Sahana Kasaru, Johnson Zion Adeyanju, Rachel Gbogbo-Morthy, Goke S., Christopher Do, Felicity Lees-Price and many more. They all shared different perspectives, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities within inclusive workplaces. 👂🏾Key Take-Home: A mentor or ally can significantly enhance your professional development, offering guidance, support, and valuable insights to help you grow and succeed in your career. 👂🏾Key Take-Home: Ghanaian Jollof is NOT better than Nigerian Jollof :)) 💡The day concluded with a workshop on transferable skills and their universal relevance across industries encouraged reflection on personal experiences and effective ways to demonstrate these skills to prospective employers hosted by ICAEW’s Aidan Ward-Hendry and Zoe Wells and the significance of personal and professional branding led by Charlotte Sangster from PwC where I received practical tips on how to distinguish myself in competitive environments. 👂🏾Key Take-Home: Doing your research on the employer and their values is one of the best ways to distinguish yourself when sending out an application. ☺️A huge thank you to Bright Network for making this experience possible! The experience has been so enriching that I wish I could fit everything into one post! Stay tuned for detailed highlights from Day 2 and Day 3 in separate posts. 🌟 #BrightInternUK #Leadership #Diversity #Inclusion #TechInnovation #CareerDevelopment #Networking #InternshipExperience #ProfessionalGrowth #SkillsDevelopment