Finding strength in differences

When Millie was in her final year of sixth form, she knew that university was not the right path for her. As a student with an interest in finance and mathematics, she sought out apprenticeship opportunities that would provide professional qualifications for the business world. That search brought her to PwC UK.

Millie participated in a paid work experience programme with the firm and then applied for a role through PwC UK’s School and College leaver programme. The School and College leaver programme is an initiative designed to help those students who choose not to go to university, develop their business skills through client work. They also complete formal training and study towards qualifications to kickstart their careers. It was exactly the opportunity Millie had been looking for. As someone from a lower socio-economic background, whose circumstances may have otherwise limited her options, Millie and her mother knew this would open many doors. When she was accepted on to the programme as an 18-year old, and joined the PwC community in the Cambridge office, Millie made the significant step of moving away from home and into an apartment on her own.

Millie joined the Audit team through the School and College leaver programme which provided her the opportunity to work with a group of problem solvers with a wide range of experience and backgrounds. These included graduates and business placement students as well as people who were changing careers. The team she joined got along really well, due in large part to their different backgrounds. With varied perspectives and starting points, no one was an outsider. Millie was the only School Leaver on her team, but felt included and treated like anyone else. She was given senior assignments and provided the opportunity to work on the same projects as graduate joiners. Now in her second year of the programme, Millie is getting involved with a wide range of projects and clients which is setting her up for a varied career which is empowering her to succeed.

Millie is a proud member of PwC UK’s Cambridge office. She finds it inspiring to be in an environment where people with different career experiences, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds and grades, come and work together so well. It’s a place that not only accepts but embraces and celebrates differences. For example, her office has a huge world map where everyone pins a location that is important to them. Millie spent time in China when she was younger, so her pin lives there. She finds that this highlights the diversity and shared connections she has with her colleagues.

Millie continues to focus on growing her career and gaining new experiences, she is currently pursuing her ACA qualification. Her time at PwC has been positively shaped by the variety of colleagues with whom she works. From her participation in the programme, to her exposure to a diverse work community, Millie is thankful for the environment PwC has created. Her experience is a testament to the culture of inclusion and belonging being created across the firm. 

An avid traveller, Millie likes to see as much of the world as possible and loves to take advantage of being close to Europe. She will often set out on a Friday evening and come back on a Sunday, ready for work on Monday with the excitement of an international destination fuelling her energy.