Finance and Business Management Review

I work in the Finance and Business Management department. I work with programs such as Excel, PowerPoint and Extrasheet to create reports and presentations for my team and for senior management. I keep a close eye on the headcount and manage it effectively through different techniques.

Yes, I've learnt vital transferrable skills. I communicate daily with senior management which builds up confidence. I've worked on my team work skills, and now manage a project which involves speaking about it at a senior level which is very good for my confidence speaking among professionals. I've learnt how to use new computer programs and Excel plugins, such as Essbase, which is a report creating tool. Generally, I have overall improved professionalism.

I really enjoy my program and I wouldn't change to do anything else and I'm glad this is the path I took. The amount of study days we have are adequate to pass the exams (3 altogether). The help we receive from BPP is very rewarding and the tutors that take our online lessons are very knowledgeable, and are always willing to help you if you have a problem. I feel like having the on job experience has been vital for me, and that being an apprentice will not stop me from going where I want to go. The apprentice tag at J.P. Morgan is one that should be held with privilege. It is a well respected program within the bank, and will in no way hinder my chances of success within the bank.

I feel very valued by J.P. Morgan. My manager, and people who I complete work for, don't try and steal the credit and use me as an easy way out of work. If I do a good piece of work on behalf of my manager for him to present to a senior manager, then he will make sure that the senior manager knows I created the report and hands me the credit. This bides well in building up my 'brand' within J.P. Morgan, and I'm glad that my hard work is always recognized.

The programme is extremely well structured, with a good balance between on the job work, and time out of the office for studying. BPP University are very good in how they go about teaching you the material for the exams, and like to make sure all candidates are confident in the work they are completing. Phill and Gemma, who run the programme, are both dedicated to their jobs of developing us as apprentices. If we ever need any help, or we have any concerns, we can get in contact with them instantly to work on resolving them.

Our training provider, BPP University, provide well presented online courses which you can watch from the comfort of your home. They take the stress out of learning and help us with any problems or difficulties we run into. If you are struggling with an exam, they provide a 2 day course which is pretty much 1 on 1 with a tutor to ensure that you understand the exam content.

If I ever have any problems at work, I know that the dedicated apprenticeship team are there to help me. They help create opportunities for us, such as helping at schools events or charity events, which gives us apprentices recognition within the firm and local community. My manager is also supporting of me. He will take the time to help me with some work I am struggling with, and is very understanding when it comes to study and exams. Also, if you are put into a job role which you aren't enjoying, you can work with the apprenticeship team to find other options within the bank. They always have your best interests at heart.

The salary is very rewarding and competitive within the industry. For me personally, I have to spend a lot of money on fuel to travel to and from work, but that's a personal choice. Then salary is still very generous for someone who has just finished college.

Yes. As mentioned earlier, we can get involved with charity events to help out the community and give the J.P. Morgan apprentices a good name and image. We can help out at school careers fairs and mock interviews. The best thing is that the apprenticeship team organize this on our behalf, and then we just attend. They take a lot of the hard work out of it for us. On the social side, all of the apprentices are close, and we do go out on nights out together which is always great fun. None of the 'university lifestyle' is lost at this apprenticeship.

Yes

I feel like I'm in the best position I could personally be in at 19 years old. I feel like my career prospects are very good and that I am going to do very well for myself in the future. I don't feel held back at all from reaching my personal goals, and I can get as high up in the company as I want, as long as I am working hard for it.

Be confident in the interviews, but not cocky. Show that you're a friendly person. Ask questions throughout all interview stages to show that you are interested. And try and have some work experience behind you. I worked at McDonalds, John Lewis, and have done 2 weeks work experience at Grant Thornton, and I feel like each of these have helped me to be where I am today.