Project Management Degree Apprentice Review

My defined current role is a project controller. In reality, the role involves activities associated with a coordinator or assistant project manager. To provide a brief summary, I developed and manage a schedule where it is my responsibility to request progress updates from the team and determine any slippages based on this. This involves daily communications with the team leader. I monitor actual hours booked to the project and produce forecasts of the ETC based on this. I escalate programme concerns to the PM.

Absolutely. My current placement has been pivotal in improving my aptitude for project control related tasks. I chose my current placement as I was aware it was a skill I was lacking in. I am now more confident navigating and presenting financial information as well as developing schedules. Furthermore, my increase in responsibility has improved my confidence in my abilities and judgements as a professional, something I have always struggled believing.

I do enjoy it. Although, my current placement has been challenging and stressful. The support from Early Careers has been great but there was definitely a period of time over the past year where I was not enjoying the scheme and found it difficult to balance writing a dissertation whilst working in a project that was very demanding. Despite this, I really enjoy it. I've learned so much.

To be honest, I'm quite proactive in requesting information so have no issues with the organisation and structure of the programme. We have regular monthly updates and if there is any further information or clarification that I need, then I just ask whatever question is needed to find out more.

We now have monthly transition meetings as we are in our fifth year of the scheme and looking to exit into permanent roles by the summer. These sessions have been great, particularly during a stressful time balancing dissertation work with placement demands. From a pastoral perspective, the support has always been high.

I receive a great level of support. We have an excellent lecturer who is supportive to our individual needs and really understands our difference in learning styles. This is excellent, particularly when undertaking a dissertation, it means we receive tailored advice and guidance that helps up work toward our own individual goals and objectives.

Particularly now that I am in the later stages of the apprenticeship scheme, it is clear to me that my qualification has helped me become a more pragmatic and critical thinker in the workplace. Having the context of read multiple academic journals and differing viewpoints of a vast variety of projects, I find that I am more reasoned in decision making in the workplace.

There's plenty of extra-curricular activities to get involved in at my work. For example, there is a Women's Network at BAE Systems that encourages honest and frank discussion around gender at work. There's also activities to support mental wellbeing and physical health, such as mindfulness and fitness activities over lunchtime and after work.

Yes

On the whole, it is a great place to work. The focus on personal and professional development is particularly beneficial and I feel that there is real support available if you want to develop your career and need any help or guidance. A negative is the excessive levels of bureaucracy - I think this is just a bi-product of working for such a large corporation but it can definitely be dealt with by behaving in an open and transparent manner.

Make sure you do your research about BAE Systems and particularly the area you are planning on working. Also, be honest in your progress and lessons learned. The "perfect" candidate doesn't exist, acknowledgement of errors you may have made in past employment and how you learned from this is more valuable than pretending you know everything - no one does.