Apprentice Academic Development officer Review

I work in the private educational sector, I work in the academic department and I support my manager and team in the administration of our various study centres, along with anything else that is required.

I have learnt a lot. My manager and colleagues have praised me in how much I have learnt since I started working there and I have grown in confidence. I have gradually taken on more responsibilities.

I enjoy the programme a lot, I think it could be improved though. I did a HND business management course and I found that to be more interesting. I think maybe it was because that was in person whereas this degree has been online.

I think the programme is not very well organised. As it is a degree apprenticeship aimed at mature students, we need notice of when the lecture weeks are as we have children and full time jobs. some people had to miss the lecture weeks due to poor communication and the lack of insight of mmu planning of when the school half terms are. the lecturers all follow their own agenda in how to organise the module on moodle, or even how the assignment is written out, There should be a standard template and the lecturers should fill it out according to that, it would make navigation a lot easier.

A lot of support. They support me in taking study leave and I have a mentor that I have regular meetings with. I have spoken to other colleagues to help me out in my assignments and they have all been helpful.

I get quite a lot of support, engagement weeks are run often. these are optional training sessions eg critical reading etc. I access them quite a lot. there is a support team to look at the work and I have a personal tutor. I don't access this as much as I should, often I don't have enough time as I'm a single mum so I don't have enough time to act on feedback and submit it on time. Other people have said it's fantastic.

I think my employer could be more organised and had me working part time alongside the department of the module, this way I could better understand the company and the module. Overall, I feel the degree is helping my understanding, but it lacks relevance because I do not work in those departments.

no, there are after works drinks but I don't drink so I don't get involved with that.

Yes

The hours are very flexible and it is wfh. this helps me parent as I am a single mum, it cuts down on childcare costs, I can finish in time to pick up my girls from school. I work in the evening or at the weekend to catch up on work. no micro-management! It's a very supportive and friendly place to work, they genuinely want you to grow and use initiative here, this is fantastic and the opposite to my other places of work.

Be honest and friendly, show an appreciation and eagerness to learn. I applied and I thought I bombed the interview, but apparently I was the best, so I don't have good advice lol.