PwC empowers graduates to 'Grow here and Go further' with excellent training and careers
From left: Cillian Diskin, associate, advisory; Denise Birin, associate, tax; Doone O'Doherty, chief people officer; Eoin Nation, associate, assurance; Marianna Hughes, senior associate, assurance; Patrick McCarron, senior associate, advisory.
PwC’s winning formula - combining industry-leading training with a focus on all the moments that matter - has made it a top destination for graduates seeking rewarding careers in professional services, business and beyond.
This is embodied in PwC’s new people value proposition: Grow Here. Go Further, which reflects the firm’s commitment to developing talent. Chief people officer Doone O’Doherty explains: “Our graduates bring curiosity, integrity and a collaborative mindset. We invest in their growth through best-in-class training, meaningful work, continuous coaching and feedback and an inclusive, supportive community.Â
“Joining PwC’s Deals practice as an associate has given me a breadth of exposure I didn’t anticipate: rotations across three distinct teams, close mentorship from market‑leading professionals, and international development opportunities." Â
From day one, graduates at PwC follow a clear development plan with defined goals, a dedicated career coach, and a tailored learning journey. Graduates benefit from a structured study programme and expert mentorship, empowering them to achieve qualifications in accountancy, tax and other fields critical to the future of modern business.
This year, PwC celebrated five graduates placing in the top ten nationally in the Final Admitting Examination (FAE) - a standout achievement that reflects the firm’s commitment to excellence and the quality of its graduates.
Beyond formal learning, graduates gain early exposure to real client work across industries. They are supported by on-the-job coaching and real-time feedback to develop their skills. O’Doherty notes: “At present, PwC has graduates working with clients to understand the impact of US tariffs on their business models, whilst others are analysing the recent budget and Finance Bill, while other teams are using data to generate real-time insights to support their clients with strategic decision making.” O’Doherty also notes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is enhancing the graduate experience by enabling them to focus on higher-value tasks from the outset. She adds that “some remain sceptical about AI, we view it as a transformative force, one that can redefine not just the graduate experience, but the way we approach learning, development and opportunity across the entire early careers journey.”
There is also a strong emphasis on building a well-rounded skillset. PwC’s structured learning programmes go beyond technical training to develop essential human skills - such as communication, negotiation and leadership - while also building digital fluency in high-impact areas such as data, automation and AI.
She believes that approach to learning and development makes PwC stand out. “The World Economic Forum predicts that over 40% of the workplace skills will be disrupted by 2027,” notes O’Doherty. “We want our people to not just be equipped for today’s challenges, but for the evolving demands of the future workplace.”Â
Leadership development is central to PwC’s approach. Starting at the graduate level, we upskill and equip all our people with the tools they need to develop leadership qualities. “We’re committed to developing world-class business leaders through quality, excellence and continuous growth,” adds O’Doherty.
That’s the essence of the Go Further promise. “We want to set our people up for success irrespective of what direction their career takes them, in PwC or elsewhere”. PwC encourages internal mobility, global opportunities and secondments to broaden experience and accelerate career progression.
The firm also places great importance on what it calls “moments that matter” - key experiences a person has on their career journey.
Those moments can vary widely. They may include transitions such as joining the firm, or changing roles, returning from leave or achieving a significant milestone.
“We asked our people to share the moments that mattered most to them,” says O'Doherty. “One spoke about the day she passed her FAEs and the feeling of being recognised and valued at the celebration in our offices. Another recalled receiving support when he was having personal difficulties. A third remembered being mentored by a partner. These moments build trust, loyalty and connection. Sometimes we take these things for granted but they are all so important.”
“We recognise our people for their achievements and support them through the moments that matter to them - how they start with us, how they grow, how they transition. It’s about creating a strong support network for all of our people. At the heart of PwC’s success is our culture,” says O’Doherty.
PwC is proud of its culture built on wellbeing, inclusion and sustainable high performance. Graduates are encouraged to participate in inclusion and diversity networks, connect with peers, contribute to events, and build skills for inclusive leadership.
O’Doherty says “graduates also play a key role in our social impact strategy, volunteering with programmes like Junior Achievement Ireland and supporting community and sustainability initiatives”.
One example is PwC’s One Firm One Day in July, a firm-wide volunteering event where more than 1,500 people participated across 53 locations in Ireland with 40 community groups - painting, gardening, organising sports days or bringing together vulnerable members of our community for learning, social connection and some fun.
Ultimately, O’Doherty believes that the most compelling reason for graduates to join PwC is the people and how we support each other. “We run an annual people survey, and this year 90 per cent of respondents say the people are what make PwC special. They highlight the supportive culture, strong values, and meaningful relationships. It really does all come back to the people.
“Our graduate programme is not just about where you start- it’s about where you can go. By combining best-in-class training with an inclusive, high-performance culture, PwC helps graduates turn formative moments into careers that go the distance.”
