Introduction: Stepping into the Unknown
Stepping into the unknown can be daunting, but it also offers unparalleled opportunities for growth. I’m Aiaru, a business student from Kazakhstan with a deep interest in accounting, finance, and management consulting. I manage my own startup called NOW and do several projects where I work as a CFO. As a high school student, I have limited opportunities in my country for formal business education. With no business classes available in my school, I took it upon myself to study business analysis independently, building my discipline and interest. I joined the program because it offered what I lacked - the opportunity to dive into the fields of business analysis, management consulting, and digital strategy. I was excited about working in groups, finding different kinds of solutions, and making an impact at the PwC company.
High Points: Growth, Connection, and Success
From the moment I began the program, I was met with an environment that encouraged exploration, learning, and connection. Most of my peers were already experienced with working on case studies and had an understanding of this field. This greatly affected me as I was positively charged and quickly grasped the concepts that were new to me. What I loved the most is that the sessions were two hours long exactly as a person needs to get fully immersed into the field and understand it. One of the most rewarding aspects was the opportunity to get unlimited office hours with the experts in the fields. The minute the link for calendly was available - I booked several sessions and talked to the expert with significant experience called Rodd Mann one on one. This was an utterly important aspect of the program because I have had the chance of asking every question big or small about the work and the atmosphere of the management consultant job. In addition, I was able to get a lot of advice and think about my future career as well.
What comes to the program itself, I had built a strong connection with my teammates and had worked on the presentation for the final pitch night. My team and I had successfully pitched a business case of Tesla and learned a lot about the industry landscape, necessary skills, and detailed information which gives a clear understanding of the field. Those are the knowledge that aren't taught at school, and doing his program made me realize that this is what I want to do. It was not particularly challenging since we had a team of four and as a team lead I have learned to delegate the tasks and generate suitable ideas. In addition, the support from the mentors - Urvi, Rodd, Anushka, was invaluable—they were always there to provide guidance, answer my questions, and push me to think critically. The sense of achievement I felt when we presented our final pitch and received positive feedback was unmatched. It was a moment that solidified my passion for this field and reassured me that I was on the right path.
Challenges: Overcoming Obstacles and Building Resilience
Of course, every journey has challenges, and this program was no exception. Since the work program is diverse with many people all over the world, I have had hardships managing the team and setting up a certain time for meetings due to time differences. However, as a team lead I had to find a solution so by contacting mentors we found a site which can set availability of each member of the team. This made the scheduling much easier and the bonds were strengthened. A key takeaway here was adaptability and the importance of communication. We had to be open to change when things didn’t go as planned. However, with great time management, we were able to make it work despite time differences. It was an essential skill, since in the future, I will know how to tackle this type of an issue again.
Key Learnings and Satisfaction:
Reflecting on my experience, I understood that I must embrace new opportunities. The program taught me to not stay in place or feel stuck to one position, rather opening up and trying myself in different branches of the same field. Whether it is switching from investment to manufacturing to retail, it is still important to have this well roundedness as it gives the understanding of the area fully.
In addition, being taught that risk is essential was life changing, since as children we were used to being told that risk is something bad. However I now learned that it is a key to development and I will keep it in my mind for the rest of my life.
In this program, it did not only consist of lectures or office hours. It was full of teamwork, using the same thing we were taught in real life cases and on the business case study. We were told how to pitch, how to make the presentations and the small ingredients that make the picture whole. We used new opportunities, risked, and implemented what we learned. It was the main satisfaction.
Conclusion: A Journey Worth Taking
As I conclude my time with PwC's Delta Careers Work Experience Program, I am filled with a deep sense of accomplishment and gratitude. This experience has not only made a positive tick on my linkedIn account, but shaped my perspective on what it means to work in this dynamic and challenging industry.
For those considering this program, my advice is simple: embrace the challenges, seek out learning opportunities, and don’t be afraid to push yourself beyond your limits. The growth you’ll experience, both personally and professionally, will be worth every moment.
PwC Work Experience Program has shown me that with determination, curiosity, and a willingness to risk, the possibilities are truly endless.
Are you ready to seize the opportunity like Aiaru?
Delta Institute offer transformative virtual work experience programs with industry-leading organizations in business and finance, tech, law, engineering and more. With Delta Institute, you’ll gain practical skills, industry insights, and valuable connections, enhancing your candidacy for college admissions. Delta Institute offers:
- Virtual work experience programs in diverse industries
- Learning from industry professionals at a university level
- Project-based work on live projects from companies
- Referral letters and certificates from prestigious companies
- Building a global network of top students and industry professionals
Ready to supercharge your journey in high school? Discover the ultimate virtual internship and work experience opportunities that will empower your application.
