Project Management Apprentice Review

My daily roles includes attending meetings and taking up tasks such as the managing of customer expectations through providing customer support with colleges and providers we provide our services to. I also have various roles in various projects where I am to keep track of schedules and provide support with tasks and deadlines to ensure the project stays on track and is completed successfully. More recently, having gone through a restructure, I have been notified that I will soon be taking lead on my own project and be part of the sales and marketing strategy for a digital product.

I have learnt many skills since starting my apprenticeship. One thing I never understood what how a horizontal organisation worked and this has allowed me to sit in on meetings and develop a deeper understanding for critical and business analysis that takes place regarding the progress of products and departments. It has also allowed me to develop many skills in project management as my manager has placed me within roles and activities that would build my experience and knowledge to ensure I was putting what I was learning into practice. This was done through giving me partial responsibility in projects through tracking schedules and communicating with stakeholders as well as identifying risks so that they can be avoided.

I enjoy my programme very much as it allows me to experience and explore skills and practices outside of project management as it is a matrix structure. I have been given the opportunity to explore the marketing and sales aspect of a product in the near future which I am very eager to partake in. I also have an honest relationship with my manager where I do not feel uncomfortable with mentioning any worries or issues I may have. Being able to work in a great team is a massive advantage too as I can ask for help at any point and receive the help without any qualms or disdain.

Recently we have gone through a restructure and it seems that it was for the best as it allowed for certain roles and divisions to be made so that job roles are easier to clarify and determine. This has taught me how restructures within large organisations take place and the value of the consultation process. There are several systems in place where employees can reach out for help, whether that be regarding health or legal matters. There are also Employee Resource Groups which allow employees from all over the world to come together and tackle inequalities in the workplace.

I receive a lot of support form employer. I am able to approach my line manager as well as people within the employee resource groups I am apart of. I am also able to approach a mental health first aider who can then assist me in receiving the right support. There is also the ability to take issues to HR through making formal complaints and objective investigations being carried out.

I receive a fair amount of support from my training provider. They are punctual in marking and attending meetings. My lecturer is very supportive in regards to running workshops as they are very accommodating to any questions that are asked as well marking exam practice questions. I find my reviews are okay, my main issue is that they are 2 hours long and that doesn't seem to be enough time to complete the review and discuss my progress and it always runs over which can be rather frustrating as I feel as though 2 hours in enough time, there just doesn't seem to be enough pace in the conversation.

The qualification run by my training provider has most definitely helped me perform better as it provides the theory and almost acts like an instruction to my role in the workplace. Through learning about the different organisational structures I was able to understand how my organisation works and understand my role within it. Through learning about stakeholders and their roles on paper, I was able to apply this to the stakeholders that I manage on a daily basis.

There are many emerging extra-curricular activities such as event run by the employee resource groups. These often tend to be based around event such as celebrating different cultures and religious events to talks about how inequalities exist and how we can move forward and tackle them. An event I recently attended was for Gen-Zs in the company so that more people from that generation can meet. We were able to establish an opportunity to work on new and different projects that require the feedback and opinions of this generation.

Yes

Pearson is an inclusive and friendly workplace for all ages. It allows for people to come in with little to a lot of experience and use this to their advantage. As a company about learning, the same is expected of employees as we start off learning in our new roles and continue to do so to progress and achieve more, not only for the company, but for our own benefit and self.

Have a genuine interest for what you are applying for. The genuine interest will reflect in any cover letters you write and any interviews you take. There needs to be an evident streak of ambition for education and self-improvement, but if this can be balanced with a respect for others and what you partake in, you will have a good shot at the role.