UX Apprentice Review

Role involves shadowing and helping various members of the team to gain a greater understanding of the field of UX. Activities can vary from creating low fidelity wireframes to helping researchers build interview questions for future customer interviews. Because the team is large, day to day jobs change week by week.

I've learned tons of new skills since starting at NatWest. I've learned how to use various design programs like Sketch and Axure RP as well as honing my abilities with programs like Excel and Illustrator. I've also focused on developing my presenting and mentorship skills during my year already,

Due to UX being such a broad field, my enjoyment of certain subjects varies. Certain topics like design and colour theory I find very engaging and enjoying because I find them so interesting however certain elements like stakeholder management, albeit very important, I find less enjoyable because my interest isn't peaked very often.

The programme started off extremely well structured, with weekly workshops held by the university that were engaging and well planned however as the year went by, the standard of teaching has seemed to have dropped and I sometimes struggle to keep myself engaged with the content. The support from NatWest has been brilliant throughout.

As previously stated, the support I receive from NatWest has been incredible from the onset and throughout. I have weekly and biweekly meetings with my line manager that includes other apprentices that are doing the same apprenticeship as me to focus on what we've done during the week and what help or support we may need for current activities.

When asking for support, there's plenty available however this support needs to be asked for as isn't inherently gifted. I'm aware that because the programme is an apprenticeship, the onus is on myself to carry out my own independent learning towards my qualification, however I thought that I would be receiving some taught learning alongside this.

Like previously stated, different modules affect my working life differently. Some modules heavily focus on pure design and the methodology around it, which really helps when I'm set a design task within work but some modules are quite abstract and vague which I'm sure will benefit me in the long term but are hard to make evident in my work.

The Bank has numerous extra-curricular activities available for everyone working their and not just apprentices which I find extremely progressive and well handled. Volunteering days are supported and rewarded as well as various "Clubs" employees can join and communicate in. On top of those, the Bank offers challenge days and hackathons that anyone is able to join.

Yes

NatWest has been an incredible place to work since day one despite my first year being an entirely virtual one. All my colleagues are above and beyond friendly and my line manager has been nothing but supportive since joining. The salary is competitive and progression paths are evident and encouraged.

NatWest has a multitude of various jobs and apprenticeships so finding one that suits you as a person won't be difficult. I didn't necessarily come from a digital background yet I find myself loving my job more and more each day. My one piece of advice would be to broaden your horizon on what you want to do as a career and through yourself into something you find interesting and not just what pays the most,