Apprentice Review

Being a rotational apprentice at Visa, we embark on new opportunities across the business every 6 months. This allows an apprentice like myself to meet a plethora of individuals who have helped me learn and develop. Currently finding myself within Sales/ Client Engagement, my overarching responsibility/ day-to-day is to support one of the UK's major banks. Each day is completely different but there are always meetings to join and work to do. My involvement so far has included: - Leading on several small-scale initiatives and sales of services into the client - Product packs of data analysis for the client to analyse their position - Facilitating calls with the client to discuss issues with relevant internal teams With regards to interactions, I find myself engaging with internal and external clients daily. This comes with the role of managing the relationship of a client. Within other teams, you may only find yourself engaging internally but there are still lots to learn there.

Yes, having been on the programme for almost two years now after graduating sixth form. I have had the opportunity to join new teams and learn/ develop a range of skills and behaviours at Visa. The most important skill I have learnt is communication. Communication is a key part to working and doing it effectively allows me to be efficient in completing work. Another skill that has proved important is data analysis, having been in roles such as sales and client services. Data is incredibly important, being able to put together a spreadsheet of data analysis is incredibly important in supporting your team or manager in decision making etc. There have been lots of other skills including: - Leadership - Sales - Project management - Financial Knowledge and understanding - Professionalism - Agile ways of working

Highly. The programme has given me a foundation to develop and thrive. With support from a range of stakeholders, there is no limit to what you can do within the programme. Furthermore, the network I have developed within Visa has allowed me to develop some meaningful relationships with professionals who have taught me loads and I hope to support in the coming years in my career. Lastly, the degree side of the programme is also interesting. The online delivery allows me to be flexible with how I study and the time provided by Visa to study makes the work/ study balance much simpler.

When I joined Visa, we were taken through a two-week induction. This induction helped us learn about the business and listen to presentations from a range of colleagues at Visa. We were also taught the basics on Microsoft, including Outlook, Excel, Work and Powerpoint... This came in very handy following the induction. The well-structured rotations take place every 6 months and 4-8 weeks in advance we are provided a range of teams that we can apply to meaning that we can define our future. With regards to studying, Visa give us 20% off-the-job meaning that we are given one day off a week to do our studies, this can be done at home or at the office. This has made the balance much easier and allows us to complete what we need to. Within our teams, the managers are updated on what is expected and how our programme works which makes my life as an apprentice that much easier. Furthermore, there is always work to do within a team and so delegation is fairly simple, my manager asks me to do something and what he expects. It is always good to manage expectations!

Visa provides a plethora of support. Firstly, your team, this has been my first point of contact. Your manager and colleagues are always there to help and answer any questions I may have. This could be from a work perspective or support for industry application for my studies. Secondly, we have the our HR Team. They look after all apprentices and have always got the time to help you out and answer any questions/ issues you may have. Lastly, I have been fortunate in being assigned a mentor but also having lots of colleagues offer to be my mentor. This relationship has allowed me to take a look at my career and ask for advice and guidance on what I should do. This has been incredibly helpful in helping think about 'what's next'.

Looking at the degree side of things, the level of support offered by QA (our training provider) is great. We are assigned a skills coach who is there to help us through the programme, answering any questions you have. They are also there to challenge you on your development and give you food for though on how to move forward. Another level of support is your lecturer, your lecturer will change every 10 weeks with the new module but they are there to help with questions and provide insights that you may require. The attitude towards helping us is great and they are there to help you thrive in the programme. They are also only 1 email away.

Although sometimes, the connection between work and studying is challenging. The support offered by QA is great. Our skills coach has been there to support me and help me with any issues or questions I have had. In terms of performance, the primary method in which they have helped me perform better is through challenging my judgement. This has helped me develop a behaviour where I consider several points of view before offering my input or making decisions within work.

Yes, there are lots of extra-curricular activities taking place at Visa. Some are specific to teams/ departments but some are also inclusive for the whole company. Looking at volunteering, Visa provides a platform inclusive of lots of opportunities to volunteer. As an employee, we are given 5 days a year to go out and do volunteering. Some examples I have participated in include: - School Presentations - Fundraising - Visiting the Elderly, having conversations etc. Looking at company events, there are lots that take place, we have our all-staffs but there are also launch events that take place. Many celebrating a collaborations with a client or the launch of a product. These usually come with networking, its all about getting stuck in!

Yes

The Visa Apprenticeship programme is fantastic and is focused on supporting us, as apprentices, through our 4 year programme. With emphasis on our degree and career development. The opportunities given to gain experience in different teams in six-month placements is a great initiative and one that has given me the platform to learn and develop into an employee that can add-value to the organisation. In addition, the support and willingness of the organisation to help out is incredible meaning the opportunity to learn and network is never far away.

Know the value of an apprenticeship... Although you may miss out on parts of the uni-life, you will meet a lot of fantastic individuals and develop stronger relationships with fellow apprentices and colleagues. In addition, you will learn lots more during the programme through industry experience all while you earn your degree. Know the business... Visa is not a bank! It's really beneficial to research what we do before joining as it will shape what you want to do when applying. Also, ask about the culture, talk to the interviewer etc.