Kate Gatfield-Jeffries has secured a place on the PwC Accelerate Programme.
Being selected for the programme means Gatfield-Jeffries will have a mentor from one of New Zealand’s top professional services companies while she undertakes her university studies, she’ll also be invited to PwC events and have the opportunity for a paid internship in her final year.
Gatfield-Jeffries plans to study Law and Commerce with a focus on International Business and Economics.
"After leaving university, I hope to join a professional services firm, work internationally and potentially start my own business in the future.”
Sharon Lofroth, Head of Department - Accounting and Business Studies, says Gatfield-Jeffries is very deserving of a place on the PwC Accelerate Programme.
“She is an outstanding young leader with a very bright future and works extremely hard. This will give her the step in the door to so many opportunities during her university studies and for her future career," says Lofroth.
"She will be able to tap into leading business mentors who can give her advice and guidance during her studies as has her career progresses as well as gain an insight into real-world business. She will have the opportunity to build networks in both the national and international scene.”
The mentoring and support from PwC was one of the main reasons Gatfield-Jeffries applied for the programme, and the opportunity to gain exposure to different areas of business including advisory services, assurance, private business and tax.
PwC, which operates in more than 750 locations around the world, says most of its mentors are new graduates themselves and are able to provide useful insights and guidance about university, and to help with some of the difficult decisions that need to be made.
For anyone looking to apply for the 2017 PwC Scholarships and Accelerate Programme, Gatfield-Jeffries recommends going on the school PwC trip to learn more about the work they do - and keeping an open mind.
"Don’t feel you have to aspire to be an accountant to apply for the programme, PwC are looking for students with a wide range of skills, interests and abilities," she says.
