Tiarni Burns on joining PwC without a degree...
I joined PwC’s Indigenous Consulting (PIC) in October 2016 as a trainee consultant. At the time there was no Higher Apprenticeship program so I supported the PIC operations team, given I had experience in business administration and support after having completed a traineeship at Campbelltown City Council.
I have never been particularly interested in completing a degree. I always thought I'd be able to push some boundaries and get employed without one. Since the Higher Apprenticeship program started, it is amazing to see I have been able to be supported in doing just this.
PIC's chief financial officer at the time encouraged me to join the program so I could find out more about the consulting world and learn from some of the best in the industry.
I’m so thankful to him for this as I have been given a great deal of support from my team and been immersed in a number of great opportunities since joining the program. I have also been given a lot of encouragement to develop and be more confident within my role as a consultant.
I am currently working across a broad range of projects which is really exciting. My role across each of these engagements has been in project management support. It’s something I really enjoy, given I get to help with project organisation and coordination.
The PIC team has been particularly supportive of me along the journey and have encouraged me to continue to develop and push myself outside of my own boundaries. In the years ahead, I’m looking forward to building a deeper understanding of the business and further developing my professional skill set.
Working for an Indigenous organisation that is so passionate about improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders brings a great deal of meaning to my work, especially as I am a Wiradjuri woman.
Everyone within PIC brings such passion and dedication to every day. It really inspires and motivates me to be my best self and fills me with such positivity for the day (and years) ahead.
The Higher Apprenticeship program opens in June 2019 for Apprentices joining us in January 2020.
