Ivy is about to start Year 13, studying Maths, further Maths, Economics and Chinese. She's applying to university this September to study economics and statistics, with a work experience placement in the transport sector already under her belt alongside Discover Finance. But back in February, she was still trying to work out the difference between economics, finance and accounting - and which one was actually for her.

Narrowing down the options

Ivy took part in the February 2026 West Midlands Discover Finance programme while in Year 12, at a point when she was weighing up several closely related career paths.

“I was kind of always confused whether I wanted to do economics, finance or accounting - they're really similar in a sense.”

The two-day structure gave her a direct comparison to work with: the first day focused on the audit sector, the second on insurance and pensions, alongside a group presentation task.

“The programme was really insightful - I was able to see the audit sector on the first day, and the second day I was able to see how it was like working with insurance, pensions.”

That side-by-side exposure, she says, helped inform “what trajectory I want to go forward with in the future.”

Out of her comfort zone

The presentation task turned out to be one of the most useful parts of the programme for Ivy - not because presenting comes naturally to her, but because she used to lack confidence:

"I'm not really the type of person to stand in front of a crowd and, you know, present something. And I think that that sort of confidence and that sort of leadership is something that I find really inspiring.

“[Discover Finance] really pushed me out of my comfort zone, because I'm not really the type of person to speak in front of a lot of people. I think that built my communication and helped me work with different people that I wouldn't do it like in school or anything like that.”

She's since put that experience straight to use: her school is currently running a challenge to promote a “quintessentially British” product overseas and she's found the teamwork and presenting skills from Discover Finance directly transferable to it.

Working out what she does - and doesn't - want

One of Ivy's favourite part of the programme was the panel sessions, where she got to speak to apprentices and people already working in the sector, rather than senior leaders.

“Being able to talk to the people who were apprentices or who already worked there was really insightful, as in what the day-to-day job was like. It sort of confirmed and made me more certain what I wanted to do, and what I didn't.”

Those conversations gave her a clearer sense of what she's looking for in a future career - and what would put her off.

“I want something that involves collaboration, something that involves communication, and something where I feel valued for the work I put in. I don't want to just stare at a computer, or do something I'm not completely passionate about.”

Building on it since

Ivy points to networking as one of the more unexpected skills she picked up on the programme - and one that's had a concrete follow-on effect. Since taking part, she's secured an ongoing work experience placement with a social enterprise working in the transport sector, introducing young people to digital skills and data.

“I think that sort of skill helped me get my other work experiences since the programme.”

Between the two experiences, she now has plenty to draw on for her university applications and feels confident using Discover Finance directly in her personal statement - particularly the presentation and research work, which she sees as relevant to the kind of problem-solving and innovative thinking universities look for.

What's next

Ivy is now leaning firmly towards university over an apprenticeship, with economics and statistics her main areas of interest - and possibly data, an area she was introduced to through her transport-sector work experience. She's weighing up universities including Birmingham, Manchester, and London, drawn partly by the idea of studying somewhere with a larger, more diverse network of people to meet. She's also looking at Warwick as she likes the look of the courses available.

She's not yet decided on a specific employer or role, but she's clear on the kind of work she wants to be doing:

“I really like the idea of working together - it isn't just staring at a computer all the time, there's a lot of teamwork. Probably something that's engaging, self-actualising.”

Looking back, Ivy's main message for other young people considering the programme is less about career direction and more about confidence in general.

“It can really build your confidence. In-person experiences are really important - not just to look into what career direction you want to go into, but also being able to be confident in yourself no matter what setting.”

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If you're an employer and would like to join the Discover Finance collective that's shaping the next generation of talent like Ivy, get in touch with Charlotte.