My Year in Industry helped me decide on my future career and land my dream graduate role

A graduating student realised her dream career thanks to her Year in Industry placement, which helped her to secure a competitive graduate scheme with eminent London auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

In the third year of her Economics degree, Rhianna Harrison-Wood was accepted onto a year’s placement with tech company Travelport.

Whilst at Travelport, Rhianna was recognised by the firm with a ‘Beyond Monthly’ award for her unwavering dedication, tremendous work ethic, and her willingness to go above and beyond to meet team deadlines.

Rhianna said: “I spent the year working in the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) and Compliance team as a Finance intern. The SOX and Compliance department are responsible for making sure that each area of finance has a process and controls within which they operate.

“My role involved testing the Purchase to Pay and Payroll processes and the balance sheet reconciliation controls. This includes analysing and dissecting the information given, and concluding on the effectiveness of those controls. I often worked with employees living in America, Dubai and Australia.”

Rhianna said: “Alongside receiving the award, a standout achievement from my time at Travelport was working with other interns to raise over £11,000 for charity.

“If I were to describe my year in industry in three words, they would be challenging, rewarding and fun. It helped me decide on my future career, and gave me valuable skills and experience that helped me land my dream graduate role.”

Post-graduation, Rhianna will be working as part of PwC’s London Assurance team whilst studying for a professional chartered accounting qualification.

She added: “I have mixed feelings about approaching graduation! On the one hand, I am sad that my time at University is coming to an end, and I will miss the friends I have made that I would usually see on a day-to-day basis. I’m also going to miss the long summer breaks! On the other hand, I’m really excited for the start of my career, and seeing what the future holds in London.

“I have so many highlights and great memories throughout the years that I have lived in Leicester, however one of the most important is my first ever two weeks at University. It was when I learnt how to be independent, experienced my first few lectures, made lifelong friends and explored a new and vibrant city.”

Fran Vickers, from the School of Business Careers Team, said: “The School of Business ‘Borderless Leaders’ strategy focuses on working in partnership with our students to build their knowledge, skills and behaviours required to be creative, agile and resilient contributors to organisational success. Rhianna fully embodies this approach.

“She has taken full advantage of every opportunity including not only her Year in Industry but also working as a School of Business Ambassador at Open Days to promoting Year in Industry to our current students. It has been a real pleasure working with her. She has shown herself to be focused, dedicated and professional and we wish her all the best for her future.”