Digital Marketer Review

My role involves supporting on current and future market launches on my brand. I also have a lot of digital responsibilities revolving around the social media platforms for my brand, the digital optimisation of the website and consumer excellence experience. I also provide support to markets around the globe for the category.

I have developed existing skills such as my communication skills. I have been able to learn the best ways to communicate effectively through email and behave and talk in face to face meetings to have the most useful conversations with stakeholders. I have also learned new skills within the business environment such as online data analytics tools (such as Google Analytics) which have been really beneficial to my professional work.

I thoroughly enjoy my role within work, however I would say I enjoy this more than the University Course currently. I really enjoy being able to put textbook knowledge and learned theories and practices into action in a real life business situation, however at the moment I haven't learned as much as I expected to. I believe this is largely due to our course being exactly the same as the full-time non apprentice students, whom may have not ever done business before so the level of difficulty at the moment is super low, but I am expecting this to pick up as the course continues. At this point I think that it will feel more enjoyable as there will be a challenge to the learning.

I think that the programme is well structured, however I think the University have struggled slightly with organisation and implementation of various aspects in line with current Apprenticeship Regulations. I do think that there were just 'teething' issues though and these are being dealt with. At work I am immensely supported and my managers are really good at ensuring that I am given responsibility in tasks, but also allowing enough support to help me complete tasks well, and grow. Studying time is expected to be 20% (so for me that is 1 day a week) which is challenging for the University to fit all of the content into one day and therefore sometimes it is a little tricky to not feel like it is rushed.

My employer are really good at supporting me ensuring that I have my allocated study time and that I'm feeling okay with balancing everything. They are quite flexible with working hours and some days I can start early & finishing early providing there are no meeting schedules outside of hours, and that I have done my 8 hours of work. I would say there have been absolutely no issues here.

The training provider (University) offer support within the study day, and do rely to emails on days where we are not in on campus. However, due to the sort time of the day sometimes it is hard to get all of your questions answered and some lecturers do say that they 'do not have enough time' to teach the material and so we should be doing it in our own time. It can be difficult to find the right balance to make sure that none of our areas (work, uni, social life) etc are not being neglected but once you have got used to it and into a routine it becomes really easy.

As I am only half way through first year, and mt course is the same as full time non-apprentice students, I think that so far I have not learned a huge amount of new content, and therefore have learned more on the job. However, what I ave learned that was new to me I have been able to apply to my role and therefore has been super useful. I believe that this will increase as I proceed through my degree apprenticeship.

Unilever are amazing at organising extra curricular events. Events that I ave got involved in range from World Toilet Day (by Domestos) whereby I went to a primary school and taught young children about good hygiene and sanitation habits, to a Networking event for Apprentices where I met all other Unilever apprentices from around the country and also some old Unilever apprentices who are now in very high, importnat and respectable positions in the company.

Yes

They are great at throwing you in a at the deep end but providing an arm of support to help you flourish. The opportunities they present you with are incredible, and I really feel like over the last few months I have been able to learn and grow so much. They embrace diversity, and everyone that works there is super friendly and willing to help you out. There is a great company culture, and even though it's such a massive company you feel like you are in the Unilever community.

Learn as much about the company as you can. I did lots of research before my interview, and this helped in the interview. It also helped as when I started there was an enormous amount to learn, having a foundation of knowledge was key. I'd also advise making a LinkedIn profile.I didn't have one when I applied, or even got the job, instead I made one a couple of months in. It's a great way to network and find out about people, events and news that may be useful once you start. Plus everyone has it - so great to keep up to date.