Digital Marketing Degree Apprentice Review

I work within marketing in Home Care, and the majority of my role involved being a project lead support for a new innovation product. Within this I support on artwork creation, and also co-ordinate the weekly project team meetings for the cross functional team which includes people from R&D, Supply Chain and Marketing. I also co-ordinate the agendas as well as take minutes and share this back with the team for anyone who missed it. I am also working on the claims pillar, identifying which claims we should pursue from our testing so far, and also working with our research agencies to conduct validation studies to ensure the claims we're moving forward with are definitely the best.

I've learned an abundance of new skills. From learning how to write an email in Business-style language, to creating and giving a presentation to a wide audience in a workshop on consumer data, I've developed massively. I've also been able to develop skills on software, I had basic Microsoft skills from school but I have become proficient in using Excel, Word & PowerPoint as I use these regularly. I've developed my people skills as well, and learned how to work alongside many people from different backgrounds.

I love it! I think the balance between University learning combined with on-the-job experience is just right, and enables me to practice what I am learning from textbooks into the real world, and also learn the theory behind certain ways of working and theories that I come across in the workplace. I really enjoy the responsibility that is placed on me in the workplace, as I am trusted to get on with tasks but always have the support needed to execute them well.

The programme itself seems logically structured although there is not always great communication between the training provider and the workplace. I think being able to dedicate one day a week solely to studies and then focus on workplace the rest of the week works well, although it is a little difficult when the study day is in the middle of the week. A Friday or Monday for a study day works a lot better in my opinion as then you can truly switch off from one, and focus on the other.

Loads, my manager has been incredible at supporting my in my tasks and always placing me on projects and workstreams that will develop my skillset, although these may be challenging at times they are always there to guide me. Unilever are really good at obeying the study day and not asking me to work on my study days, there is a respect for these hours.

A satisfactory amount, although there is definitely room for improvement. Full time students seem to get more support that us as the part time students, and there is a huge gap between some lecturers in terms of how available they make themselves for us. Some go out of their way to reply to emails and support us when needed and some simply turn their OOO on or go offline on teams if we send a message out of hours.

I'd say it definitely helps a lot, although if I wanted to pursue a digital career I would need to move to a different department (e.g. eCommerce team) whereas I think within brand team more people should be trained on digital. Regardless, the marketing fundamentals have been incredibly helpful to understand my role within my team and the tasks I work on day to day. Especially the theories.

Since the pandemic this has been difficult, but there has been countless opportunities to connect virtually, whether it's been a virtual coffee room, or an escape room with the department, or a weekly pub quiz, there has been a real effort to keep people connected. I also did Yoga for the first few months of being in the office, and there is a gym so really helpful.

Yes

The culture of the company is amazing. People want to support you, see you develop, and you feel a part of something. Also sustainability matters to Unilever, and it feels great to be working for a large company that has the power to do good and actually exercises it. The job satisfaction is great, and there are so many things to get involved in and perks.

Make sure you know about the company before applying, see if it is for you and then just be yourself in the interview process! There are so many different roles as well, research exactly what is needed in that role and see if it would work for you. And if not, look around a bit more until you find something you'll enjoy. And don't worry about not knowing anything if you join as an apprentice, or on the grad scheme, because no one expects you to know everything! You are there to learn and grow and if you open your mind you definitely will do that!