Meet Aya AlAli
Starting off as a brilliant summer intern at our Beirut office, who won first place in the Digital Booster competition, Aya ended up joining PwC Middle East full time a year later. This is her story on being a changemaker and how an internship with the firm taught her to set her expectations for work.
Tell us about your internship journey with the firm
I started off my time with the firm as a summer intern in our Beirut office. The internship gave me an overview of the auditing field, and has added great value to me on both a personal and professional level. The first part of the internship was centered around our digital upskilling, which is a huge focus for the firm. We used digital analytical tools to add more value to the engagement through seeking constant ways to automate deliverables. Learning and development during the internship wasn’t only focused on technical skills but also soft skills such as active listening and time management that support us on the job.
During that summer internship, I took part in a digital booster programme where we took Kubicle courses tackling powerbi, excel and Alteryx. We were then divided into teams and were asked to crack a loan amortisation case. This competition allowed me to use my background to track my team's progress, direct their efforts and support them with any complication. To me, the greatest accomplishment was our team winning first place from the Assurance Line of Service.
After an internship with the firm, what encouraged you to apply for a full time job?
If I had to choose one thing, it would definitely be the people and firm culture. Joining as an intern can sometimes be intimidating as we’re usually regarded as the kids and are left-out with only the mundane tasks. That is something that I didn’t feel at the firm as the whole team was very welcoming from day one. It’s a cliche with good reason, but since joining I’ve built close friendships with people from all Lines of Services and Grades.The firm has people from different backgrounds and career stages, and everyone’s uniqueness is valued.
It was inspiring to work with people who are willing to go that extra mile and who have a passion for problem solving. I would describe the culture in the team as close-knit and supportive - everyone looks after each other. Even as interns, the work environment was fast-paced and demanding, but it was matched by a culture of encouragement and development, where we are all united by wanting to achieve and work together.
How was your transition from university to your first full-time job?
For the first time, I left my home country and comfort zone to move to the UAE to start something completely new. I was having mixed feelings regarding the move - excited for the upcoming adventure and worried about all the what ifs that may occur. I was very nervous, as I didn’t know what to expect, but the firm helped us settle in very easily and smoothly. Even though the induction was mostly virtual, the onboarding process was really nice and interactive. The in person training that we got also added a lot of value. The team made sure we have everything set before we even travel and ensured a smooth transition between both countries.
I’ve always been a people person and very hands on when it comes to making life, in general, better. My passion for people has pushed me to join the People team in the Core Assurance Business Unit, with the aim to make a change, for myself and my colleagues, and eager to learn and develop my skills.
“It was inspiring to work with people who are willing to go that extra mile and who have a passion for problem solving. I would describe the culture in the team as close-knit and supportive - everyone looks after each other.”