PMO Review

I work as a PMO (Project Management Office) and this includes adding resources to projects, sorting out timesheet's, keeping tack of the financial forecast. I am responsible for two projects at the moment which requires a few regular meetings each week to make sure everything is up to date and in order. I really enjoy my role as it gives me independence and more responsibilities as I am being trusted to take care of different projects and speak to different stakeholders about it.

I have developed a number of skills since my apprenticeship started. I have developed my skills on Excel and am now able to do all sorts of functions on there. And even skills like time management and communication has developed since working here. I have gained new skills in the software that I have never used before in order to do my job which was complicated at first but I am able to now and can do so on my own.

To be honest at the beginning it was a struggling as I was in a role that I did not like or enjoy and didn't have much work to do. However for several months now after moving roles I have really enjoyed work and having a much more positive experience. My team are quite a quiet team, there isn't much conversation, but it's okay as I am in a number of meetings so still get to interact with people. The company culture is good, Barclays like to help out small businesses and do lots of charity work and it's just a nice friendly place to work.

The programme is quite well organised. We have cohort meetings every month where we can ask any questions that we need to and get any new information off of our career coach. We also have designated apprentice buddies who we have meetings with every month for a catch up and to ask any questions to. We also have individual 1-2-1's with our career coach and skills coach from university every few months to find out how we're going on. As apprentices we also have objectives that we have to complete which gives us tasks to do and we get review dates on them. When I first joined my team though it did feel a little bit like the line managers were not prepped very well and struggled to know what to do especially as I was the first apprentice in the team.

I receive a decent amount of support. Like I said before with the 1-2-1 meetings from work and with the apprentice buddy it means that I can raise any questions or concerns and even share good news. It's good to know that I can go to someone who has been there before and ask them anything or just for a general chat. My manager does support me for example in finding me a new role when I didn't like my old one however we don't really have many meetings inbetween to see how I'm getting on and it feels a bit distant in that respect.

So we get the 1-2-1 meetings every few months with our skills coach from university which are helpful as they can go through assignment feedback with us and answer any questions too and just raise anything we wan to. In the run up to assignments too lecturers put on extra sessions and study days that we can attend to complete any work needed or get that extra support that may help with getting a better grade. The help is readily available at university, just have to take it.

This first year maybe not so much, or only in the business systems unit as I do not do any coding or web development work in my work role. However the pathway that I have picked for the next 3 years should really benefit my work role as it is closely aligned which is why I was advised to take it. This year though I have put some of the theory into practice as for one of the assignments we had to link the work role to a business systems unit.

There are numerous extra curricular activities to get involved in on site at work. For example there are sports clubs at lunch time and there are lots of social and volunteering events that I have taken part in. For example helping school children to code and get them interested in technology and a Christmas dinner for the elderly in the community. I really enjoy taking part in these events because I feel as though I am giving back to the community and doing something good.

Yes

It is a great place to work, to learn so many new skills and gain a degree from it. Even though it is a technology site you don't need masses of knowledge in technology to work there just like my role is not hugely technological. There are so many people that work there you can make so many new connections and will really build your confidence putting yourself out there and speaking to these people. And even if you don't want to stay there forever the platform it gives you is amazing.

For the application process, interviews and assessment days can seem quite daunting and overwhelming as there are lots of people there trying to get a limited number of jobs but you just need to remember that the assessor are there wanting you to do well and you just need to approach every task open minded and positively. It isn't also about doing everything right as I made mistakes and got things wrong but it is more about the potential you show. It also isn't about being the loudest you just need to make yourself known is enough. When in the job take all experiences that come your way and really dive into the role and process as that is how you will get the most out of it. I would have like to have been told that it's not scary to ask questions or for help as that is what everyone is there for.