Lauren Alie

Technology Degree Apprentice

PwC - a multinational professional services firm that helps to solve complex issues across various industries. They provide audit and assurance, tax, consulting, forensics, technology and many other services to different companies.

I study Computer Science at the University of Birmingham. I work in one of PwC's technology teams in the summer on placement or during my third year of university, where I spend an entire year working full time at the company.

I enjoy solving problems using technology and working in teams to come up with solutions to problems. I like how creative I can be while working in tech too!

There's no typical day at work - every day is different! In my role I get to communicate with people across the different lines of service in the firm which is great. Some days I might be working on making a bot which will automate every day work tasks, or I'll be doing some programming to automate tasks done in GSuite.

I started my degree apprenticeship without any experience in Computer Science, so I was quite nervous at first. I originally wanted to study Maths at university, but then realised I preferred practical applications of this subject and the problem solving skills behind it. Combined with the innovative nature of the technology industry, I decided going the Computer Science route was best for me. Doing a degree apprenticeship was a bonus, as I would be getting paid to study and having practical work experience so I could see the real world applications of what I was learning about at university.

I'm very excited about the future, even though I'm not sure what area of the technology industry I want to work in. I'm enthusiastic about learning new technologies and skills, and I'm looking forward to seeing where that takes me.

I really like cooking, reading, dancing and watching movies. I enjoy playing in a steel band in my free time, it's really fun to perform at different events like Notting Hill Carnival.

"I haven't failed - I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." - Thomas Edison