Project Manager Review

Depending on your specific role, environment (Agile or Waterfall) & project, the rsponsibilities and tasks will differ. My role as a project manager consists of facilitating calls, running some of these calls and ensuring that any impediments/issues are raised. I then ensure that these impediments are closed off as soon as possible, whilst mitigating any other blockers.

I have gained many skills whilst further developing existing ones. For example, my confidence levels have massively increased since I started which has encouraged me to run calls, engage with stakeholders and ask questions. This is a very important skill for being a project manager. There are also many training courses at Vodafone.

Working for Vodafone is great, there are many benefits however it is challenging when you have no experience in this area e.g. coming straight from A-Levels. I don't think that there is great support or empathy that you are an apprentice and therefore it is quite daunting. However, as the months go on and I pick up new knowledge and skills the job becomes more and more easier. Therefore, I do believe that project management is a type of role that comes with experience.

Study days (university) is held once a week on a specific day e.g. Wednesdays and this entire day is dedicated to learning. Therefore, you do have a lot of time to complete assignments. However, I feel that QA are not the best provider and so all the research is done on my behalf rather than learning from the lectures.

I feel that their is a lack of support at Vodafone. I believe that managers are too high up which means that they cannot help with your day-to-day work.

My skills coach is great, she supports me when I am unsure about my assignments or if I have any queries. She ensures that I leave our calls with all the knowledge I need to write my assignments. She gives me feedback on previous assignments so I can work towards a greater grade. However, the lectures are not as positive as I haven't learnt much on any of the calls.

I don't believe that the University side of the programme massively helps with the role as it is more theory based rather than practical. However, I do believe that I understand a lot of the theory because of work experience.

There are lots of social activities held at Vodafone which is great, these are normally held by the Youth Committee who are amazing! However, it is quite hard to get everyone together when everyone is based in different locations.

Yes

Vodafone is a great company, where you will have a great experience, gain new skills and further develop existing skills. An apprenticeship is a great way to complete a degree as you will understand what it is like working for a well established company, gaining exposure to a business environment and understanding how to implement these skills, whilst gaining a degree qualification.

The best tip is to research Vodafone and be yourself! It is great to be passionate about the company that you are applying for, therefore research the company well e.g. The Spirit of Vodafone.