Implementation Team Review

I am part of an Implementation team within Technology. My tasks change daily and no day is ever the same which I enjoy as means I am never bored. Currently my job involves a lot of data analysis; trying to highlight trends within the data from tools that are being replaced to make for a smooth transition to the new platform. I often am involved in calls with senior stakeholders and senior managers to explain the work I have been doing to gain further clarification of what is required as well as having to interact with other teams to gain their feedback on the current tools.

I have developed many new skills as well built upon those I already had. I have been exposed to many great opportunities that push me out of my comfort zone but enable me to gain confidence. These include running floor wide sessions which involve presenting to the group, explaining program progress and gathering more feedback to improve the user experience in the new platform. I have attended many internal training courses where I have learnt how to refine my use of Excel for data analysis, code in HTML to create websites for the floor, code in Python to solve problems on the floor in hackathons as well as how to get the most out of your meetings. Communication is vital in an organization as large as this and it really is true to make the most of every opportunity you are given.

I thoroughly enjoy this programme. It has enabled me to meet a whole wealth of people with very diverse opinions and experiences. These people become vital as are used as part of your network and help you to perform at your best. I also have a mentor (a senior manager) where I can gain advice from someone who has worked in the bank for 15+years. This really helps to show me that everyone is willing to help regardless of their job title or place in the working hierarchy. The company is very diverse and provides ample opportunities to get involved with people you wouldn't normally by providing network events.

I feel very valued both as part of my team and as part of JP Morgan. People are always interested and excited to hear about the apprenticeship scheme and what it entails. There are many different platforms for people to provide thanks and recognition of your work and even when things aren't quite right people are always willing to sit down and make time for you to enable the best outcome. I get great appreciation from my manager as well as support; we catch up regularly so I can explain my workload, deadlines and how I am handling things. Good communication between you and your manager is the key to success.

The programme has great structure with a 2 week 'boot camp' before even starting where apprentices can get to know each other, meet their teams, learn a bit about the company as well as their degree work and structure. On the degree apprenticeship, 2 study days are allocated to the first 18 months of your programme and there is even a study room on site. There are many internal and online training courses as well as anyone in the firm willing to offer help, advice and their expertise. Each module follows a 10 week course with pre-work, webinars and consolidation before having about 4 more weeks before your coursework deadline which is released during the 10 weeks.

Each webinar is 2 hours long and takes place on your study days. You are given email addresses of your tutors, module leads, tech support and your apprenticeship lead who can be contacted at any point but of course you have to allow up to 48 hours for a reply so it's good to bear this in mind when deadlines are approaching! The degree content is interesting and constantly reviewed as questionnaires are supplied to students at the end of each module. There are quarterly catch ups between you and the provider following your results from each module as well as bi weekly calls between them and your 'apprenticeship rep' who is chosen during boot camp and can be contacted to give any feedback to the provider.

Support is everywhere within the firm. My manager is very helpful and always takes into consideration that I am an apprentice, allowing ample time for study as well as providing me with workplace tasks that challenge me and help me to grow and develop. I also have a mentor which is down to you to set up and engage with but there is a website where you can find a mentor as well as finding them by interacting with people at networking events. This has really helped me as although they work in technology, our 2 roles are completely unrelated so this provides me with a space where I can ask questions and ask for advice from a completely unbiased source. This is also beneficial as my mentor is able to use their wealth of experience from within the firm to help me to develop in my role using what they have learnt already. You also are assigned a 'buddy' usually in the cohort above who you can meet with as often as you like and talk to them about any problems or challenges you may be having as well as being able to ask them simple questions that you may be embarrassed to ask your manager because they were in your shoes a year ago.

I would say my salary meets the demands of my costs and also allows me to save at the end of each month. I do live at home but I am aware of many other apprentices working for the firm who have relocated and are also able to live well and save too. If you drive there are parking costs you need to consider as you cannot park onsite. Some people park at the local football stadium or sports center. I along with others have leafleted/looked online and rent driveways nearby. The commuter bus is another option too with many routes.

There are many opportunities outside of work with regularly organized apprentice 'nights out' (eg during boot camp/Christmas party/graduation) as well as sports teams (football, netball, badminton) that anyone can train with and take part in. There are now even football pitches in campus. There are also charity events across floors, the campus and also one with all the apprentices in your cohort. The campus is also next door to a sports center so you can always go to the gym or swim after work.

Yes

I would definitely recommend this opportunity to a friend. The way I look at it is that you have all of the perks of going to university whilst being paid, not getting into debt, having 4 years of experience by the time you finish your apprenticeship as well as a job at the end of your apprenticeship upon completion.

The most important piece of advice I could give is to be yourself. JP Morgan like honesty and will be able to gage if you are right for the firm just by your personality. Try not to be nervous as all they are trying to do is get a sense of who you are to try and work out if you are right for them. I well recommend completing research about the company, both basic facts as well as current news articles regarding the firm before any interviews as I can certainly say this helped me and gave me something to talk about, helping me to have control of where conversations were going.