Chartered Management Degree Apprentice Review

This degree apprenticeship involves rotational placements; I therefore change role every eight months. At present, my day-to-day role involves data entry into a broadcasting software. My manager will email me alterations to be made in the software and I will complete them accordingly. I also run reports on this data to ensure that everything within the software matches our admin records.

Entering an office environment straight from school means I was plunged into the deep end and had to learn about organisational culture, develop my communication skills and develop computer-based skills such as Excel very quickly. I've learnt many new skills, some of which are quite niche to the company, such as how to navigate different software. I've also learnt generic professional skills, such as researching and writing a report/presentation to share with colleagues. To be honest, I feel it's quite difficult to separate what I knew before and what I know now because I feel like I've developed so rapidly since I started.

I love the opportunities that the programme offers in that I've been lucky enough to begin my career in a world-renowned organisation. I also like that the degree is work-based as I can relate the academic theories that I study to what is going on around me, so there is a good theoretical/practical relationship in what I'm doing. That relieves the stress of working and studying at the same time, because really the two overlap.

The scheme itself is well-structured, with rotational placements allowing apprentices to gain knowledge of different departments and a further knowledge of the overall company - this offers invaluable experience. Each placement is arranged by managers. All university days are planned far in advance, allowing you and your employer to accommodate periods when you are not in the office.

A fair amount! I have two managers to support me: a scheme manager and a placement manager. My placement manager is my direct point of contact in relation to day-to-day work. My placement managers have so far been very accommodating of me developing experience as an apprentice and supportive of any study requirements I may have, such as university commitments or deadline pressures.

University lecturers and skills coaches (point of contact for university - a tutor, for lack of a better word) are at the end of the phone/an email away should you encounter any study-related issues. I also find my skills coach very supportive in relation to any workplace issues I may encounter.

I find myself contextualising the theoretical knowledge I gain from studying with practical examples I see in the day-to-day workplace. I therefore find myself applying aspects of my qualification as the content I study sometimes overlaps with my day-to-day work. However, as the degree is in management - and I am not a manager - the content of the degree is not as directly applicable to new-to-the-workplace apprentices as it would be to actual managers. Despite this, I like to think what I am studying will help me further down the line when I do become a manager.

There is a 'BBC Club' employees can pay a small fee to join which offers a variety of clubs and groups (such as running, yachting or arts clubs) and also offers access to bars, gyms etc. Opportunities to attend networking events arise too, both from university and from my employer.

Yes

This apprenticeship is such an amazing opportunity in that you gain a qualification, you gain experience in a world-renowned organisation and you rapidly develop yourself on a personal and professional level. I can't imagine going to university now! It is a fast-paced and sometimes stressful experience but it's also very fun and engaging.

Demonstrate the experience you have from school/work/hobbies/other activities and the professional skills you have gained from these, such as leadership, time management etc. Also, demonstrate your personal qualities! What can you offer the BBC and your potential future team on a personal level? Are you determined/confident/funny etc?