People come to the Ignite Work Experience Programme for different reasons - to explore career options, to build confidence, or simply to understand what working life is really like. What they often leave with is clarity, connections and practical experience they can take forward, whatever they decide to do next.
Here, Amelie, Ben and Maisie share their experience of Ignite in their own words - from what surprised them most, to the skills they still use today, and the advice they’d give to anyone thinking of applying.
I applied to Ignite because I knew I wanted a career in finance, but I wasn’t completely sure if audit was the right path for me. Ignite felt like a good way to explore that - and also to understand whether Grant Thornton was the right fit before joining.
I felt nervous going into the programme at first, but that quickly settled. Everyone was extremely welcoming and happy to answer questions, which made the experience feel genuinely valuable.
What stood out most was the connections I made - both with colleagues in audit and with other students on the programme. By the time I joined the firm, I already knew people who were starting at the same time, which made the transition much easier.
Ignite really helped develop my confidence and communication skills. That’s something I use every day now, especially when speaking with clients.
For anyone nervous about applying, I’d say just go for it. It’s a great opportunity to confirm whether audit is for you, fast‑track onto the programme, and meet people before you even start.
I was referred to Ignite by my school careers adviser. What appealed to me was the structure - especially the possibility of coming away with an apprenticeship offer at the end.
Honestly, Ignite exceeded my expectations. I’ve done other work experience where you mainly shadow people, but this was hands‑on and really focused on bringing the best out of the candidates.
The interview skills sessions made a huge impact. Many of us had never been in a professional interview environment before, and learning how to answer questions confidently and clearly was invaluable.
Ignite also helped build my confidence by placing me in an unfamiliar environment, but giving me the tools to succeed - from speaking with managers to applying knowledge in a workplace setting rather than just in school.
I’d encourage anyone who’s nervous to embrace that feeling. Being open, curious, and asking questions is how you get the most out of the experience.
If you’re unsure about applying, focus on what you could gain rather than what might hold you back. Ignite gave me opportunities I probably wouldn’t have considered otherwise — and I’d 100% recommend it.
I joined Grant Thornton after finishing my A‑levels, and I originally applied to Ignite because I wasn’t 100% sure what I wanted to do next. I knew university wasn’t necessarily for me, but I enjoyed business at school and wanted to explore different options, especially apprenticeships.
I didn’t really know what to expect - and I was surprised I got through the application stages - but Ignite turned out to be such a positive experience. The biggest thing for me was the culture. Everyone was welcoming, and seeing graduates and school leavers already working at the firm made me feel like I wouldn’t be alone starting out.
The programme gave me a clear insight into what audit actually is, and I learnt practical skills like interview techniques that I still use now. It really boosted my confidence when meeting new people in a professional environment.
If you’re unsure about applying, focus on what you could gain rather than what might hold you back. Ignite gave me opportunities I probably wouldn’t have considered otherwise - and I’d 100% recommend it.
