Why did you choose PwC?
During the PwC in-house day, I immediately became enthusiastic about the atmosphere. I felt an instant connection with the people, and PwC's teamwork culture perfectly aligns with who I am. Additionally, I chose PwC because, in my opinion, they offer the best Deals traineeship. This traineeship provides the opportunity to explore three different departments within Deals, with excellent guidance through training and coaching. Moreover, you start together with about 20 other like-minded individuals, which makes it extra fun.
What exactly do you do? Can you tell more about your work content?
Currently, I am part of the ESG deals team. We help clients understand Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) topics within the context of mergers and acquisitions. Depending on the industry and business model, we identify crucial ESG topics and determine their impact on the value of a deal during ESG due diligence (buy and sell sides). We prepare a report with various analyses, such as the impact of regulations, emissions, energy consumption, and insights into company culture and employees.
What does your workday look like?
It varies. No day is the same. At the beginning of a project, we are busy examining the provided data and preparing questions for the management. Then, various meetings are held with management, both online and on-site. We also conduct interviews with experts to gain more insights into a specific market. Additionally, we do a lot of analyses in Excel and then work them out on slides in the report. In between, there may be questions for new assignments, and I help with proposals. Sometimes I have a training day or coaching session as part of the traineeship program. And besides all the hard work, there is also time to meet new people, have coffee with my fellow trainees, sometimes even a yoga class on Tuesday afternoons (facilitated by PwC), and every Thursday I see my fellow trainees during our weekly lunch.
What do you like about your work?
I really enjoy the opportunity to work on assignments in different sectors and for different types of clients. For each project, you dive into a new market, which ensures that you are constantly challenged and learn a lot. It is a very dynamic work environment, where a lot happens, and especially the ESG market is very new and growing rapidly. The topics we investigate are very current and interesting.
“It is a very dynamic work environment, where a lot happens, and especially the ESG market is very new and growing rapidly. The topics we investigate are very current and interesting.”
What can you tell about your team?
The ESG deals team was established about 3.5 years ago, and currently, we are a team of about 10 people. The team is very cozy and close-knit. We have lunch together every day and often work in smaller teams on projects under the guidance of our director and partner. Within the team, everyone is very approachable, and we have diverse backgrounds. This makes the team versatile, and I learn a lot from everyone.
What do you think of the work-life balance at PwC?
Very good. So far, I can combine it very well with my personal life. For example, I have hockey training during the week, and I also have enough time to do other sports and see my friends. Of course, there are moments when we have to work a bit harder, for example towards the end of a project, but if it happens that we have to work longer, we always coordinate this well in advance. Additionally, our team is now part of a pilot of Innersmile, where we follow a happiness program. This program focuses on the well-being of employees. Through questionnaires, personal conversations, and workshops, such as a breathing session, we are consciously working on improving our own well-being. It is very interesting and fun to participate in this as a team!
What characterizes the work atmosphere at PwC?
The work atmosphere at PwC is very pleasant. Collaboration and collegiality are central here. Everyone is open and approachable, which creates a warm, cozy, and optimistic atmosphere. It is a place where you meet many inspiring people and where you can be completely yourself.
How does PwC help with your career path?
Firstly, I get the chance to meet many people through my various rotations, allowing me to build a large (international) network within PwC. These connections are invaluable for my future career and provide me with the opportunity to learn from the diverse expertise within the organization. Additionally, PwC strongly focuses on personal development. I am guided by both a career coach and a performance coach, and as part of the traineeship program, I follow various training sessions together with my trainee group (think of DISC, pyramid thinking). This lays a solid foundation for further growth and development.
Which project makes you the most proud?
Project Chips, a sell-side environmental due diligence for a Dutch branch of a global producer of specialty chemicals. We examined the current state of the factory in the Netherlands by conducting analyses on soil and groundwater contamination, air pollution, wastewater, waste management, noise control, and hazardous materials. PwC Japan led this project, with cooperation from teams in the US and China. It was challenging and educational to work with such an international team and learn from the different work cultures.
“It was challenging and educational to work with such an international team and learn from the different work cultures.”
What would you say to your future colleagues (why would you recommend working at PwC Deals)?
I highly recommend working at PwC Deals. The opportunity to start in such an international organization, combined with the traineeship program, gives your career a kickstart. Additionally, the transition from university to PwC is very smooth, and you start with a large group of other trainees, making it easy to make new friends who go through the same process, which makes it extra fun. As part of the traineeship, you also go to Madrid, where you get the chance to meet other EMEA deals trainees, which also helps in building an international network. Lastly, the people and the pleasant work atmosphere make me feel very much at home here, and I am very well guided, allowing me to develop strongly both professionally and personally. So I would say, sign up! For me, it was the best decision, and who knows, we might be colleagues in the future.
Read more about the Edge Deals traineeship
