​CAREERS: Polina secures her future beyond school

A RIPON Grammar School student has bagged a top-level apprenticeship with a leading international company.

Polina Whitehead, 18, is excited to begin her professional training in the financial services industry with Ernst and Young after her A-levels.

“As one of the ‘Big Four’, EY is one of the biggest professional services firms in the world,” she says.

The boarding student, from Cumbria, was encouraged to apply for a work experience programme with EY after exploring options at an apprenticeship fair attended by RGS students.

“I would highly recommend applying for these opportunities as after that I was fast tracked into applying for an apprenticeship,” she explains.

“The initiative to apply for the work experience already puts you ahead of other candidates and they interview all work experience candidates before applications even open for other people.”

Having taken part in an assessment within her work experience, her place was secured following a partner interview.

She advises other students: “Top tips for the assessment centre would be to ensure you are contributing but not overpowering others – they want someone who works well in a team and can appreciate other people’s opinions.”

She added: “For the partner interview, make sure you have researched the company thoroughly, know why you want to work for them and why you would like to have the role you have applied for.

“When asked why you would like to work for them ensure you are not giving just generic answers. I said, for example, that the work they had done for Ukraine made me more confident that EY was a company that I would love to join.

Polina, who will join EY’s government and public sector (GPS) Assurance team in Manchester, said: “I have never been keen on the thought of university as I wouldn’t want the debt or to be stuck in the drinking culture associated and apprenticeships offer so many benefits to you such as having four years’ hands-on experience when others your age may just be finishing university."

“In addition to having this experience, I will be a qualified chartered accountant, so the benefits are very clear.”

*EY, which came top in a list of the top 60 employers for apprenticeships compiled by Rate My Apprenticeship, provides work experience, summer internships and industrial placements for both graduates and A-level students.