A Standing Start With Big Ambitions
For many students, the leap from studying accounting to landing a placement at one of the world's most prestigious professional services firms can feel daunting. For Jem Kemal, a Year 2 BA Accounting & Finance (Extended) student at Greenwich Business School, the journey to securing not one but two opportunities at PwC began with a single decision: reaching out to the employability team early.
Starting Early: 1-to-1 Coaching in the First Term
Midway through his first term, Jem booked a 1-to-1 coaching session with the GBS employability team with a clear goal in mind: a spring week placement. The sessions gave him tailored, practical support at a stage when many students are still finding their footing.
I found it hugely valuable for helping me to refine and tailor my CV and cover letter for roles I was applying for, as well as helping me to create a better schedule to balance time for studying and career development.
Beyond the CV and cover letter, the coaching sessions helped Jem build a more structured approach to his time, ensuring career development didn't fall by the wayside during a demanding academic term.
Building Interview Confidence: The Placement Preparation Programme
In his second term, Jem joined the Placement Preparation Programme, a structured initiative designed to take students through the full cycle of competitive application processes. The programme covered interview technique, job advert analysis, and the crucial skill of matching personal experience to employer requirements.
The Placement Preparation Programme was equally as valuable for me, helping me with interview style question and answers, analysing and screening job adverts and helping me to understand how to link job requirements to my own skills and present them in a practical way.
This ability to articulate skills in the language of a job advert is often what separates a strong application from a successful one - particularly for highly competitive programmes like those at the Big Four.
The Results: Spring Week and Summer Internship at PwC
The investment paid off. With the support of the GBS employability team, Jem secured a spring week placement at PwC. That success opened a further door: an invitation to an assessment centre, which Jem converted into a summer internship at the firm.
I truly believe I would not have achieved the spring week or the summer internship placement without the support of the employability support team at Greenwich Business School.
For Jem, the techniques and confidence built through both the 1-to-1 coaching and the Placement Preparation Programme were directly applicable at the assessment centre stage, underlining how the employability team's support extends well beyond the initial application.
Jem's Advice to Fellow GBS Students
Reflecting on the process, Jem is clear about one thing: do not wait.
The employability support team are great and really help you to achieve your best. I would recommend to anyone to seek them ASAP.
Jem's story is a reminder that career success is rarely accidental. It is the product of early action, consistent preparation, and knowing when to ask for help. Greenwich Business School's employability team is there from the first term, and as Jem's experience shows, the sooner students engage, the further they can go.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Greenwich Business School students can book a 1-to-1 appointment with the Employability Team via the Student Hub.
