Project Management Degree Apprentice (Early Careers) Review

I work within Research and Development helping our teams to deliver projects while also looking at the department's projects from a portfolio perspective ensuring that we are aligned to department and wider BBC strategy. I am also focusing on culture and well-being within the department.

Project Management was an alien concept when I first started, I had transferable skills like communication and team work which I have been able to develop further. But I am continuously learning about Agile ways of working and picking up tools like building spreadsheets and running Kanban boards. I also get to engage in a variety of training; Scrum, computer programming etc.

I really enjoy my programme. Despite not being in it for very long so far I feel like I am learning something new everyday and am building my confidence within a professional business environment. I do feel like I get more out of my work placement than I do from my learning provider but that being said I feel supported and encouraged by the University too.

The programme is very well structured. The university provides all the dates I am required for the year ahead. And all the time I require for off the job hours or studying is ring-fences by my department to ensure I always have the capacity for the work. Also my placement manager is always looking for relevant work that links to my current learning at uni.

I recieve support from many different sources, my team and line managers take a genuine interest in my personal life and are actively involved in ensuring I feel comfortable to share at any time should I want to. There is anonymous support I can access as well as mental health support and free health care within a days notice. The university have a dedicated interest in my wellbeing.

My learning provider provides extensive support, from full access to the library and skills resources, to face to face uni days where we can interact and network with our cohort, there is continuous surveys on content satisfaction and we have a class rep who we can go to. We also have a Tri Partite advisor who we have regular meetings (alongside out workplace manager) where they provide interview experience as well as general check-ins.

My qualification so far has mainly focussed on Linear project management where as my role within technology focusses on Agile. Despite this there is still a vast amount of cross over as well as the other aspects I am learning set me up to be proficient in the wider industry beyond my apprenticeship.

I am part of the apprentice community podcast where I am a producer getting to use more of my creative side, I am a member of the Young Talent Network where I can meet other young individuals within the organisation. There are walking and running clubs and my team makes a conscious effort on out away days to go and do something social out with work.

Yes

I feel like the people around me take a genuine interest in my progression, I feel motivated to come into work because those around be genuinely love what they do, despite not being paid as competitively as other organisations. I feel like I am making a genuine impact even if it is in a small way. I get to work and learn from industry professionals who have set the standards in many of their areas, while getting to work for an organisation that is recognised internationally.

When you apply familiarise yourself with the BBC values, what are they and what have you done in your life where you have been aligned to one or more of them? Just be genuinely interested in the role and the BBC as a whole, as an apprentice you aren't expected to know everything.