Enterprise Marketing Apprentice Review

I am based in M&O (Marketing & Operations) in Enterprise Marketing, which deals with the large-scale companies such as Virgin Atlantic, ASOS and M&S; making sure that they know about the best products and to show the stories of success from other businesses. In my day to day role I do a lot of content data analysis, looking at the feedback from events and customer facing activities. I then feedback to my team what is going well and how we could do better, changing our tactics to continue to excite and engage our customers. I am also responsible for creating internal and external content such as the Bubl newsletter, an interactive tool that allows all of our events, hot topics and customer stories to be shown off all on the same platform, rather than many emails!

As my job role coincides with my QA training very well, I am applying my knowledge gained in the classroom or through coursework into my everyday role. I feel that over time I have developed my own professional style, and can easily talk to customers and fellow colleagues with ease - something I was very shy about beforehand. I also have the opportunity to gain other qualifications such as MOS, which are free! I have plans to do these soon. Speaker sessions are also always available, offering advice on public speaking, kick-starting your career and many more.

I love the apprenticeship programme. Not only will it set me up very well in the future but it has also brought me so many new opportunities and experiences that I never imagined would happen - such as my engagement with Future Decoded, being recognised within the business for doing a great job and meeting loads of inspiring individuals! I am so happy that I chose this over a university course, it was the best decision for me to make!

I love the apprenticeship programme. Not only will it set me up very well in the future but it has also brought me so many new opportunities and experiences that I never imagined would happen - such as my engagement with Future Decoded, being recognised within the business for doing a great job and meeting loads of inspiring individuals! I am so happy that I chose this over a university course, it was the best decision for me to make!

The programme is extremely well structured. From the beginning I have been supported - throughout the application, interview and on-boarding. I have a great network of people to help me, and I am given the freedom to carve my own path throughout the apprenticeship, engaging with different opportunities and events, whilst still being given advice throughout.

Although I feel this is a different relationship than what I have with my immediate group at Microsoft, QA does offer a very good course that shall equip me with the skills that I shall need throughout my career. In my sessions with the assessor I am given feedback how to improve and sell myself as a great apprentice, and let that shine through my coursework.

At no point have I ever felt not supported by Microsoft. My team have welcomed me with open arms, and my team has been so patient whilst I get used to this complete change of lifestyle! I often have catch up sessions with my manager and mentors, and I can truly say that I love my job and am always excited to come to work every morning – even if I do have to get up at 6:30am!

My travel to work costs me around £250 a month, and I live at home with my parents so have no rent to pay. The salary is sufficient for me to have a reasonable amount placed in my savings and some left over for social events and anything that I want to buy that month (clothes, haircuts etc). I never find myself short of money at the end of the month, although I do watch my expenses.

There are many extra groups and opportunities to get involved with across Microsoft, such as the GetOn 101 team, which aims to impact as many young people as possible getting them interested in careers in tech! I also have joined other groups outside of M&O, to push myself to meet others and learn new skills along the way! Specifically (to apprenticeships) we have recently been accepted onto the Brathay Challenge, which aims to find the best group of apprentices for 2016!

Yes

When I applied I had no idea of the range of jobs that are found within the business, and I couldn’t have imagined the amount of opportunities that I have had so far and will have in the next year. Microsoft has welcomed me with open arms, and my team has been so patient whilst I get used to this complete change of lifestyle! I can truly say that I love my job and am always excited to come to work every morning – even if I do have to get up at 6:30am! It really is the best place to work and kick-start my career.

When applying, don’t be afraid that it might not be ‘your kind of thing’ or ‘too technical’ for you. What I have realised is that you are never judged on what you cannot do, but what you try to do and how passionate you are. If you are someone that doesn’t mind trying new things go for it!