Romain’s Journey from Apprentice to Working Student

My journey at PwC began in August 2021, after I decided to dive straight into the professional world rather than attending university like many of my high-school peers. Starting as an apprentice, I had the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience while attending school.

Over the next two years, I completed my apprenticeship and earned my Federal Certificate of Competence (CFC) in July 2023. My apprenticeship allowed me to put what I was learning into practice, significantly enhancing my learning and skill development. This laid a strong foundation for my current career path as part-time employee in the Digital Assurance & Trust team within Financial Services while studying at university.

My apprenticeship was an enriching and formative experience, allowing me to gain practical insights and develop essential skills that have shaped my career. Throughout the journey, I learned to:

• embrace each opportunity: While supporting the personal assistant team in Lausanne, I managed tasks like mailing, invoicing, and digitising documents. These activities built my skills in the Microsoft 365 suite, laying a strong foundation for my professional journey. 
• make collaboration productive: I learned collaboration skills that improved the overall efficiency and effectiveness of my team and helped others with balancing their own workloads by dividing tasks.
• maintain detailed oversight: While working on multiple projects, I learned the importance of closely monitoring timelines and details, which helped our team make informed decisions and deliver strong results.

For me, it offers the perfect blend of practical experience and academic learning. Being able to apply what I’m studying directly to my work has not only deepened my understanding of key concepts but also accelerated my professional growth. Balancing both work and studies has also improved my time management and prioritisation skills.

PwC has supported my journey in a variety of areas, including:

• diverse experiences: During my apprenticeship, I had the chance to explore many different business areas, from Human Capital to Cybersecurity and the Digital Assurance & Trust team, where I’m currently based. This diversity has helped me discover my strengths while expanding my professional network. 
• culture of support and recognition: PwC’s culture is rooted in collaboration and support, and my colleagues are always ready to share their knowledge and assist with challenging tasks. My contributions are also recognised and valued, encouraging me to continuously strive for excellence. 
• flexibility: The culture here prioritises flexibility, which allows me to balance my academic commitments with my professional responsibilities. This flexibility has been key in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
• financial support for education: PwC supports my academic development by covering study-related fees and helping me allocate dedicated time for my studies.

My one piece of advice for any aspiring apprentices or working students is to manage your time wisely. Juggling work, studies, and your personal life can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding. With good time management, you can find the right balance that allows you to succeed in all areas.