Mas du Pau

Why did you choose PwC? 

The application process for the Edge Deals traineeship is designed in a way that you get to meet many different people within PwC from the very first moment. I immediately felt a connection with the people here and felt at ease right away. Once you start the traineeship, each rotation lasts six months, which allows you to truly get to know a department and discover where you want to specialise. I also really appreciate the coaching at PwC. In addition to a buddy and various training courses, you are assigned two coaches who are closely involved in your personal development and growth. 

What exactly do you do? Can you tell us more about your work? 

I have been at PwC for over a year now and am currently in my third rotation of the traineeship. The departments I have rotated through are Corporate Finance, Performance & Restructuring, and Financial Due Diligence. The work differs per department, but there are also clear similarities. Depending on where you are placed, you work on a mix of financial analyses, reports, market research, proposals, and of course client and internal meetings. 

What does your working day look like? 

Broadly speaking, I would describe it as follows. I always start by checking my calendar to see what my day looks like. When working on a project, we often have a short morning kick-off to check in on everyone’s progress and discuss how we will organise the day. Throughout the day you work on the project: I prepare analyses and incorporate them into the report. I always have lunch with the team, though on Thursdays I have a weekly lunch with my fellow trainees. In between, there are usually various meetings, both internal and external. And of course, you can always make time to grab a coffee with a colleague. 

What do you enjoy about your work? 

I enjoy the project-based nature of the work. In your first years you do not specialise in a specific industry yet, which makes the work very dynamic. With every new project, you are challenged to become an expert on a new sector, so you learn a great deal. You always work in teams, which means you learn a lot from your colleagues, and it is rewarding to work together towards a common goal. Furthermore, the work offers a good balance between technical analyses and independent work, and the more social aspect of meetings. 

What can you tell us about your team? 

Now I work in Financial Due Diligence (FDD). This is the largest team within Deals, with around 130 colleagues. There are four sector teams within FDD. Most of your projects will be within your sector team, but it is also quite common to work with other teams. Project teams are small, around four people, but for larger engagements we sometimes work with up to ten colleagues. 

What is still on your bucket list? 

PwC is, of course, a large international organisation. This makes it possible to go on a secondment. During a secondment, you work for a PwC office abroad for between 6 and 24 months. I think it would be great to experience the working culture of another country in this way. There are also considerable differences in sector knowledge between countries, which means you can gain a lot of insights and bring them back to the Netherlands. 

What do you think of the work–life balance at PwC? 

So far, the work–life balance has been very good for me. The work is easy to combine with your personal life. I find it important to exercise regularly, and I have hardly ever had to skip this because of work. Of course, from time to time you need to put in some extra hours, that is normal in this sector. Within my team we make clear arrangements in advance about which days we will stay a bit later at the office. That way, you can plan your personal schedule around it, and you know exactly what is expected of you. 

How would you describe the working atmosphere at PwC? 

The working atmosphere at PwC is extremely pleasant. Everyone is incredibly open and approachable, so you never feel uncomfortable asking questions or discussing ideas. Collegiality is key, which makes collaboration on projects very enjoyable. I also really appreciate that I started together with around twenty other trainees. I think I speak for everyone when I say that this now feels more like a group of friends than just colleagues. 

How does PwC support your career development? 

Thanks to the various rotations during the traineeship, you build a broad foundation within Deals. You develop both soft and hard skills, via on-the-job experience but also through the training courses you follow, such as DISC, pyramid thinking, interview skills, and communication. This equips you with a solid skillset to take with you to the department where you eventually specialise. You also have a career coach with whom you regularly reflect on short- and long-term goals. Finally, the network you build during (and after) the traineeship is invaluable for your future career. 

Which project makes you most proud? 

That would be the Vitality project. I worked on this during my Corporate Finance rotation, where we supported a sale process for a company in the financial services sector. We collaborated closely with PwC Norway, as the deal took place in Scandinavia. It was great to be involved in an international transaction, working with colleagues from another country and getting to know a different culture. 

What would you like to say to your future colleagues? 

I highly recommend the Edge Deals traineeship. Even though PwC is a large international organisation, your colleagues make sure you feel welcome from day one and immediately feel part of the team. You also build a solid foundation for the rest of your career thanks to the wide range of training courses and personal coaching PwC offers. You are continuously challenged to deepen or broaden your knowledge and skills, which makes your learning curve incredibly steep. Moreover, starting together with around twenty other trainees is a unique opportunity, sharing your journey throughout the traineeship is not only valuable but also a lot of fun.