Graduate Consultant Review

Daily Tasks include: Regular project monitoring in planview to ensure all projects are progressing well Updating project charters to ensure clarity of project progress to PMO Setting up and sometimes chairing meetings Producing minutes from the meetings Monitoring progress against project plan Keeping track of Risk logs Reporting to PMO

- Communication with key stakeholders and customers - Prioritisation of work - Understanding the importance of certain tasks so I can complete them first - Understand the capacity of work I can undertake - It is important that I do not take responsibility for work I do not have time to complete - Networking - Project planning - Organisation - Time management

I find that my current role exposes me to the right opportunities in order to develop as a project manager, and rarely asks me to produce work outside of my scope. Furthermore, the apprenticeship that is being ran alongside my role facilitates my understanding and development by breaking down project management into manageable, specific sections.

In regards to the apprenticeship, the layout it is very organised as training days and locations are clear and are spread out throughout the year. However, I find that the "compulsory" post/pre-work is sometimes unnecessary in regards to importance or quantity, and therefore sometimes clashes with the work I am producing in my role.

Santander are very good in providing support as they are always available as and when I need them in regards to having a question or request. Stuart and Emma have facilitated my introduction into the office to ensure the work I am being given is correct, and to ensure there are no problems.

My Skills coach is fantastic at being an intermediary between Santander and the QA apprenticeship. I can freely approach him with any questions I have, and we have regular catch ups to ensure the work I am producing for my portfolio is correct, and to guide me if he thinks I am going off track

I feel that the Project Management Qualification is providing me with fundamental knowledge that facilitates my role, and gives me a better understanding of the scope of work I should be producing. Furthermore, I think that my role in the project I am in will provide practical experience that will help me understand the content, and provide more context to the course.

The Change Hub regularly host networking events both departmental and for graduates in terms of transformation town hall meetings, networking event, graduate events etc that helps to bring employees closer together and give everyone a better understanding of the work around them. Also, there are extra activities such as 5-a-side football that are ran by employees around the office

Yes

Since joining Santander I have had a consistently positive experience with the Change Hub and the projects I have been placed on. They have been very understanding about my role as a Graduate, and there is more than enough support if I have a question or request that needs answering.

When I was applying it was made clear that your degree subject will not impact Santander's judgement on your suitability for the role. Alternatively, Santander focus more about how you example your ability to relate to their core behaviours and the company culture being presented in the long term strategy.