We met Yash at the Caffè Nero by Cambridge Central train station.
“I was sat right there,” she says, pointing across the room.
On the morning of her interview with PEM, this was where she came to prepare, flashcards in hand, nerves building ahead of one of the biggest moments in her career so far.
But Yash’s journey didn’t begin here.
Growing up in India, Yash moved to the UK at 13 years old.
At the time, she remembers wanting to be a doctor, but also questioning whether this would be right for her. She began exploring alternative pathways and settled on Accountancy. With ambitious career goals in mind, Yash had her first encounter with Form the Future while in year 10 and a pupil at Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology (CAST).
It was a Wednesday morning when her class were told they would be taking part in mock interviews. Like many students, she didn’t know what to expect. But as soon as she sat down with one of our Ambassadors, those uncertainties faded away.
“To this day, I ride off the high of that interview.”
In the session, she received detailed, thoughtful feedback.
“It gave me a blueprint into how interviews work, and I still use it to this day.”
Yash went on to study Economics, Business and Psychology at Hills Road Sixth Form College.
Whilst looking for a finance work experience placement, she received an email from Therese at Form the Future, who scheduled a call to match her with available and relevant options.
Therese set up a meeting between Yash, Form the Future, and Bango, a global company specialising in payment technology.
What could have been an overwhelming first step into the professional world was eased by Form the Future’s presence.
“They were like an anchor.”
In late February, Yash found out she had been accepted for the placement.
Split between the Finance and HR teams, the placement helped Yash connect her A-level studies with the workplace. Concepts she had struggled with in her Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB) exams finally clicked when she saw them applied in a real-world setting, strengthening both her understanding and confidence.
“Everyone at Bango was so lovely, they were very happy to help you if you wanted to learn more.”
By the end of the placement, Yash felt a renewed sense of direction and the experience proved an apprenticeship was the right path for her.
Yash describes the value of having Form the Future as that link.
“Form the Future being the moderator between employers and students is a big thing. I think them being that middleman is really helpful”
Following the success of her work experience, Yash was invited to speak at Form the Future’s 10-year anniversary event.
Held at the Museum of Zoology, Cambridge, the scale of the event quickly became apparent from the 21-metre, 80-tonne skeleton of a fin whale hanging overhead.
As guests started to arrive, Yash realised this was bigger than she had imagined.
“I was a ball of nerves.”
Before going on stage, a Form the Future team member talked Yash through the questions to help her feel prepared. But as soon as she started, the nerves faded away.
As Yash stepped off the stage, she was quickly surrounded by people eager to speak with her. Form the Future, once again, were there to support, guiding her around the space, making introductions to relevant people who would be valuable to meet.
One of those in the audience was Sara Allen, from Greater Cambridge Impact, an organisation focused on tackling local social and economic challenges. Sara offered Yash work experience on the spot and she accepted immediately.
“Yashaswini impressed us from the start”, says Faye McDonough, Greater Cambridge Impact
Beyond the experience of public speaking, the event gave her the confidence to start conversations and network. For the first time, she found herself initiating professional discussions and doing something that had once felt intimidating.
“It was the pivotal point for my career.”
One of these pivotal conversations was with Gareth John, Policy Director at First Intuition and a few weeks after the event, they met again. This time at the Caffè Nero by Cambridge station, the same café we are sitting in right now.
During the meeting, Yash had the opportunity to ask questions and gain invaluable insight into apprenticeships and the accountancy firms she should be applying to, giving her the clarity and confidence to take her next steps.
Yash began working on her cover letter and CV, but after applying to 23 companies, the reality of the application process quickly set in.
“The only way I can describe the entire process is soul-crushing.”
Yash was getting rejected every week, with generic emails bouncing back almost immediately after applying.
“I thought I couldn’t do this anymore.”
However, through Gareth John, she had been introduced to a fellow apprentice at PEM, a well-established Cambridge-based accountancy firm.
From there, things began to look up and, after a few weeks, she had secured an interview for a trainee apprentice role. The team were one of the first that took the time to get to know her as an individual.
“I felt so valued at that point.”
Yash remembers when she finally got the phone call to tell her the good news.
‘Hello Yash, I’m calling from PEM’…
As of now, Yash is in the final stages of her A-level exams, with a well-earned summer ahead before she begins her trainee accountant apprenticeship with PEM in September. Alongside this, she will complete her professional training with First Intuition, with Gareth continuing to support her as she takes her next steps.
Looking back, she recognises just how much has changed in 5 years.
Looking ahead, Yash says she’s “buzzed” for what the future holds.
Yash wants to qualify as an Accountant and hopes to progress within PEM. While ambitious and driven, she is the first to admit that every young person needs support and access to those opportunities.
“For me, it was the 10-year anniversary speech and meeting Gareth. These things are pivotal. They change people’s lives.”
If your organisation could offer work experience, volunteer at an event or support young people in another way, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact our Head of Business Development, Gwen Bergius, at gbergius@formthefuture.org.uk or visit our partners page for more information.