Work experience opens door to wider IT possibilities

“It was great to see first-hand the structured graduate training programs offered by PwC and learn more about opportunities for women. I also learnt how your IT degree is relevant across a whole range of roles and business fields such as urban architecture, tech consulting, strategy and management and more.”

Clarissa says the experience she gained during the internship helped her develop a clearer understanding of what businesses are looking for.

A part of the team

Clarissa says that PwC offers structured programs for students and graduates and treats you like an employee.

“You really get to feel part of the team, with opportunities to work hard on real projects as well as be part of social events that help you get to know your colleagues better,” she says.

“You also learn so much by chatting to individuals at all levels of an organisation. You get more exposure and insight into various fields and learn how others have developed their career paths and progressed to leadership positions.”

Building your networks

As well as gaining valuable experience you’re also having a chance to build your network. People you work with during your internship get to see how you work which means you develop solid referees who are in the industry, people who can vouch for you later.

Internships give you the opportunity to develop your skills and experience including sought-after soft skills. Clarissa says at PwC she learnt the importance of working effectively in a team.

“There was a lot of teamwork required for the projects I worked on, plus the chance to take on new experiences which help build your confidence such as following up with clients and other individuals in the organisation where you need to be comfortable talking to people at all levels.”

The future looks bright for Clarissa with the opportunity to explore another internship in her third year. She says UTS’s commitment to facilitating on-the-job learning really sets it apart from other universities. 

“It’s amazing to have the chance to complete two internships as part of my studies. I would really recommend it to others, as you get more of an understanding of what a job entails and how to transfer what you’re learning in your degree to a work role. It’s something that can’t be explained in the classroom and that you really need to experience first-hand.”