Commercial Apprentice Review

My current role is in Category Management within Nestle Purina. My responsibilities include identifying and analysing market trends within the Discounters Channel, and assessing what we can do to maximise opportunity and minimise threat. I am currently responsible for creating a promotional evaluation tool in which we can assess how successful our promotions have been in comparison to previous promotions.

My main skills that I have developed are confidence and extracting key information from graphs and tables. My role has given me the opportunity to interact with members of the business cross-functionally, constantly seeking feedback. As for extracting key information, I have definitely improved cutting through the excess to discover what is relevant and what we can act upon.

I don't have a bad word to say about my programme. It has given me the opportunity to work across multiple functions, picking up experience in all of them and discovering how they interlink. For someone who is still trying to work out 'what I want to be when I grow up', this is the perfect chance to find out.

On the whole, I have found it clear as to when I am rotating roles and any key information I need to know has been communicated. I personally require more help from my immediate team than the Nestle Academy, but they are always available should I need to contact them.

Nestle and its employees, in every role I have been in, have always been available to support me in my learning if and when I require it. I have built up a strong support network in my time here, and the overall culture here is incredibly warm, welcoming and approachable

Sheffield Hallam are always on hand to provide support when I need it. I have had experiences in the past where I have needed to contact my lecturers regarding queries and issues, and each time they have responded quickly and addressing my concerns. Like Nestle, Sheffield Hallam have an approachable culture.

This is arguably one area that could be improved on. While my degree learning aids my overall contextual knowledge, it is sometimes challenging to directly apply my learnings back into the workplace. Sessions in place to identify how I could do this at the end of each university module would be beneficial.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of extra-curricular opportunities on offer here. I have had the privilege of attending numerous away days, which I believe are fantastic for team spirit and morale. I am also a member of a Sports and Social club, which organise fun events every so often which again, help strengthen my support network.

Yes

The opportunity to gain experience within a global business across multiple functions is too good to ignore. I have grown so much as a person since I started here, and have had the chance to develop multiple key skills that will hold me in good stead for the rest of my career.

Like anything you apply for, the chances are there will be people more academic and intelligent than you. However, I would argue that if you are willing to work harder than the rest, and you can convey that in your application process, you will undoubtedly be in with a chance of joining.