Cadetship 2015 (3 Viewers)

[ksubitb]

So it's nearing the time where the thread for the '20XX Cadetship' thread is made but there isn't one yet...

So here it is!

Anyone else here on Boredofstudies (2015 year 12's or 2015 first year uni students) planning to apply for cadetships this year?
Which firms are you planning to apply for? Mid Tier's only? Big 4 Only? All of them?

Write your opinions down (on cadetships) and begin asking your questions to some of the cadets (past and present) that might lurk these forums!

Get excited guys!

EDIT BY SEREMIFY007: These are the past threads on the topic and will be a good reference point for many questions.

http://community.boredofstudies.org/462/commerce-business/319430/cadetships-2014-a.html

http://community.boredofstudies.org/462/commerce-business/298107/cadetships-2013-thread.html

 

[Phaze]

For anyone applying, posts like these are gems.

http://community.boredofstudies.org...ent-process-part-1-–-online-applications.html

http://community.boredofstudies.org...ment-process-part-2-psychometric-testing.html

 

[minzoir]

I've got a few questions that hopefully someone can answer.
I'm gunning for a cadetship at a mid-tier or big 4.

- Looks like applications open in the next few months, are they for a cadetship start mid-year or for 2016?

- I'm doing Business @ UTS and while I'm doing first year subjects this semester I'll be graduating at the end of 2016. Will the firms still take me as a cadet despite that I will only be studying for 2 more years? Technically I'm in first year of the course but I received a years worth of past credit recognition so my course is 2 years instead of 3.

- If so, does my age (21) and extra experience (managing some local farmers markets) give me any advantage over the year 12 students applying? Or is there a reason they want them young?

Thanks and good luck to everyone with your applications!

 

[ksubitb]

For anyone applying, posts like these are gems.

http://community.boredofstudies.org...ent-process-part-1-–-online-applications.html

http://community.boredofstudies.org...ment-process-part-2-psychometric-testing.html

Thanks for that Phaze, will definitely look into it!

 

[ksubitb]

I've got a few questions that hopefully someone can answer.
I'm gunning for a cadetship at a mid-tier or big 4.

- Looks like applications open in the next few months, are they for a cadetship start mid-year or for 2016?

- I'm doing Business @ UTS and while I'm doing first year subjects this semester I'll be graduating at the end of 2016. Will the firms still take me as a cadet despite that I will only be studying for 2 more years? Technically I'm in first year of the course but I received a years worth of past credit recognition so my course is 2 years instead of 3.

- If so, does my age (21) and extra experience (managing some local farmers markets) give me any advantage over the year 12 students applying? Or is there a reason they want them young?

Thanks and good luck to everyone with your applications!

Did you do another course before switching to the one you're doing currently? As I'm in year 12 myself, I honestly don't know... I'm sure different firms may have different requires but since you're doing first year subjects, I don't see them ruling you out especially with the extra experience you have... I'd shoot them an email (the firm's you're interested in applying for) expressing your situation before the application dates begin and take it from there... If thing's do not work out, I'm sure they'll suggest to you to try out for their vacation and grad programs!

Do not lose hope and good luck! Hopefully some firms (if not all) will allow you to be in the running!

 

[RishBonjour99]

I've got a few questions that hopefully someone can answer.
I'm gunning for a cadetship at a mid-tier or big 4.

- Looks like applications open in the next few months, are they for a cadetship start mid-year or for 2016?

- I'm doing Business @ UTS and while I'm doing first year subjects this semester I'll be graduating at the end of 2016. Will the firms still take me as a cadet despite that I will only be studying for 2 more years? Technically I'm in first year of the course but I received a years worth of past credit recognition so my course is 2 years instead of 3.

- If so, does my age (21) and extra experience (managing some local farmers markets) give me any advantage over the year 12 students applying? Or is there a reason they want them young?

Thanks and good luck to everyone with your applications!

I don't think your age would factor in. The requirement iirc is that you be in year 12 or be in your first year of a commerce ish course for big 4s?
It will give you an advantage on the job I imagine (especially social aspect) because you will be less 'green' compared to year 12 kids. Won't last long though - its all up to your performance (which as a cadet.. you really won't be doing much until later on)

 

[seremify007]

I wouldn't suggest cadets don't do proper work early on especially at least in what I've seen, the cadets are doing the same work as a grad which is surprisingly challenging compared to even when I was a cadet 9 years ago.

That being said about the age thing, I don't think it's a specific criteria and there have been others who have joined as cadets a bit later than others... the only thing I would say is be prepared to explain/answer why you are only doing first year commerce now. One of the key objectives of a cadetship is to fast track those who definitely want to become an accountant and hence the question might be asked as to how committed you are to the career path.

 

[Chronost]

I don't think your age would factor in. The requirement iirc is that you be in year 12 or be in your first year of a commerce ish course for big 4s?
It will give you an advantage on the job I imagine (especially social aspect) because you will be less 'green' compared to year 12 kids. Won't last long though - its all up to your performance (which as a cadet.. you really won't be doing much until later on)

Trust me we do pretty much the same work as a grad does,and most firms want you up and running to do proper client work as soon as possible after proper and adequate training.

 

[Chronost]

I've got a few questions that hopefully someone can answer.
I'm gunning for a cadetship at a mid-tier or big 4.

- Looks like applications open in the next few months, are they for a cadetship start mid-year or for 2016?

- I'm doing Business @ UTS and while I'm doing first year subjects this semester I'll be graduating at the end of 2016. Will the firms still take me as a cadet despite that I will only be studying for 2 more years? Technically I'm in first year of the course but I received a years worth of past credit recognition so my course is 2 years instead of 3.

- If so, does my age (21) and extra experience (managing some local farmers markets) give me any advantage over the year 12 students applying? Or is there a reason they want them young?

Thanks and good luck to everyone with your applications!

Hey Minzoir just note not all big 4 accept 1st years in their application,I think 2/3 do, deloitte might also have a cadet program running from time to time for 1st years (they had one last year but their occurance doesn't happen every year), and mid-tiers are similar in that some only accept year 12s too.

Like mentioned before you'll be surprised by what some of the year 12ers applying have in terms of work experience, don't rule out any factors like that. And similarily your age will be in question during the interview where you'd need to explain your change of mind.

 

[Chronost]

Guys have a look at past threads;

http://community.boredofstudies.org/462/commerce-business/319430/cadetships-2014-a.html

http://community.boredofstudies.org/462/commerce-business/298107/cadetships-2013-thread.html

These will probably answer most questions you have and these have a wealth of information regarding cadetships

 

[ilikecats]

If anybody wants advice on working for smaller firms (ie. Non traditional cadetships), changing jobs or universities or life as a never ending part time student (aka. 6 year degree), don't ve afraid to send me a message!

The world of accounting doesn't start and end at big 4 firms, so I've got plenty of advice!

Also, if anybody is looking for advice on insolvency or tax, I've got experience with both!

All the best for this year everybody!

 

[SmallCalves]

Can anyone tell me how many days and hours cadets are expected to work and how much it will impact social and uni life?

 

[Phaze]

Can anyone tell me how many days and hours cadets are expected to work and how much it will impact social and uni life?

Haven't started yet so I can't say from personal experience but from what I've heard you're meant to work 9AM - 5PM four days of the week and you get one day off for University. How ever you will end up working late on some days when there's a lot of work at the office.

Social Life = Very little besides what you have at work

Uni Life = Non-existent if you end up doing night classes.

But remember you won't be working for the full length of your degree.

 

[ilikecats]

I think most places will be at least 7.5 hours a day, plus overtime if necessary. At my first firm, I got 4 houses per week to leave ealry (or arrive late) for classes. Essentially you could leave at 4.15 instead of 5.15 four days a week, or like I did and split it over two days.

Can't see any reason why your hours would vary otherwise.

Days depends on your firm and how long you've been there. As I said I got 4 hours per week, but after a year of full time work I could alternate semesters between ft work and pt study, then pt work and ft study.

My current firm allows 2 days per week for uni.

All the firms vary slightly, but I would anticipate 7.5 hours over 5 days for the first year.

I really lost my social life once I started working. I've had a lot of personal and family issues over the past few years, so it was bloody hard to go from seeing your friends every day to not seeing them for 6 months. Even harder seeing Facebook and that where they say how much they love uni, when your only there from 6 to 10 at night.

It really varies from person to person how you cope with balancing these sorts of things. Its rather ironic that looking back now that I do wish I had never accepted my offer. Its been 3 years andi feel like ive gotten nowhere, my life has only been getting back on track in the past few months (although my current work might change that!). At the same time, if I'd never taken the job I'd never have had so many chances to learn and grow, to be certain about my future career, to get my current job, and the support of my friends now.

I've probably ranted way to much here so let's ignore the doom and gloom parts and remember.

You will give up a lot for your cadetship. But for me, it has 100% allowed me to be certain about my future and has shaped me in a way that I am certain I would be a very different person without it. You can have a social life and a career, its just not going to be the rosy picture youmight imagine. Your not taking the traditional path, but its 100% the best path you can potentially take to shape your future successes.

 

[InsoulvencyReaper]

Can anyone tell me how many days and hours cadets are expected to work and how much it will impact social and uni life?

I work at a mid-tier accounting firm and they're relatively flexible in their arrangements for undergrads.

The usual hours are from 8:45-5:15. You're expected to work 7.5 hours, 5 days a week which equates to 37.5 hours (full-time week). I usually leave at 4pm on Mondays and Tuesday's. I make up for it on Thursdays by doing 8-6pm which I don't find that bad. Next semester I'll be working 4 days a week.

In terms of social life, it's non-existent. Your life will predominately revolve around trying to complete your work load and still have energy to do university work. What time you do have left you will probably want to sleep, spend with your family or maybe see that friend you haven't seen in 6 months to a year.

I've joined the choir at university and we have practice from 7:30-9:30pm - so that changes up my week a bit. Ive volunteered for the committee too. I also go to the gym twice a week to keep my brain from getting fried and attend church twice a week (sometimes more). That's as much social as I get.

It's really up to you how you manage your time.

To be honest, I love working. I didn't go in thinking at all about my social life. You'll come to realise that most your socialising will be with people at work. You'll also cherish the time you have.

 

[seremify007]

I think social life will definitely change over time depending on each individual but it's definitely what you choose to make it. Working in a professional firm teaches you to balance and manage your time, and to prioritise what matters to you. I personally followed a lot of routine in my cadet days, but now that I'm older, I find managing time to be relatively easy as I can make a decision on what to prioritise quickly, and I am reasonably good at forecasting how long different tasks will take (thus enabling me to figure out what I can flex without missing deadlines or important things to me).

Cadetships aren't easy and a full time job can be too much for some, but you grow up quickly as a result.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[gem19]

Hi, I live in Newcastle and am wanting to get a Cadetship in Newcastle. Does anyone have any recommendations or know of any resource lists where I can find out where offers Cadetships.
I have a few in mind, but would like to apply for multiple for the best chance in gaining one

 

[InsoulvencyReaper]

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[seremify007]

Hi, I live in Newcastle and am wanting to get a Cadetship in Newcastle. Does anyone have any recommendations or know of any resource lists where I can find out where offers Cadetships.
I have a few in mind, but would like to apply for multiple for the best chance in gaining one

Don't know if there's a central list on the CA website for Newcastle alone but there are a few firms both small and large in Newcastle. You might need to research on your own but at least one of the Big 4 are there and I know they offer cadetships.

 

[Chronost]

I'll add my own experience up here as it's abit different to what the girls have been saying here in terms of non-existent social life and such - There is certainly time to have a social life during your time on a cadetship - for the most part your weekends are free to socialise with others as much as you want - personally i tend to use this time to go to a club event I'm in or go out with my girlfriend or friends.

You do not have to meet up with every "friend" you have to have a social life, you can meet with the same friend regularly and it still counts - after work you're also free (depending on work schedule) to have time to meet with friends - hopefully your friends understand your timetable and you'll be able to meet with them -if you're lucky their times uni for them will finish the same time as work does for you.

Basically it all revolves how much you put into using your hours to socialise or just go home and rest after work - it comes down to prioritizing as someone mentioned above.

I work in Audit and my hours are regularly abit above the standard hours of 8:30-5:00pm - we tend to usually work till 5:30-6pm and if things need to be done a bit beyond that too - Audit tends to have the most "overtime" hours (which don't count as overtime since its part of your contract) - but as a cadet you won't find too much of this and other areas in a chartered firm might also have this just as much as other areas such as audit - all depends on your efficiency/clients/firm