Account Manager Review

To support Senior Leaders in schools, by using our support, resources and qualifications. This is to both retain existing and grow business opportunities. There is also a need to understand the educational landscape, to be able to provide support with Curriculum Planning, which the use of research based resources, with the aim of improving student outcomes.

I have developed my project management skills, I feel I am now a much more authentic manager, being able to empathise with customers and colleagues. I have the knowledge to understand the business world in more detail, including how a company the size of Pearson operates and how to get the best by collaborating with external and internal stakeholders.

The programme was a challenge (but it if was easy everyone would be doing it!). Pearson are very generous with the time allowed to study, on top of the 20% off the job time, which in my case was 1 day a week, Pearson also allow an extra two hours per week, which is extremely useful, in order to stay on top my studies.

My studies are with the Open University, which makes this very flexible, however, it is imperative to be self motivated to stay on top of studies and keep up to date with assignment deadlines. I found the online tutorials really helpful and talking to other students, who work for different companies and by networking, you can learn from others. Also good for overall support and well-being. I feel there could be more networking encouraged by the OU. Networking within Pearson is very much encouraged.

Support from Pearson has been beyond my expectations, support from my line manager and from the Pearson Apprenticeship team. I have also worked with two mentors, from other parts of the business, one being a senior leader, the expertise and encouragement from all of these Pearson colleagues have been extremely helpful.

I found the support from the OU inconsistent at times. On my course, the OU allocate one work based tutor for the length of my course, then each year there is a different tutor for the academic modules. I feel that some OU tutors do not understand work based learning and others are extremely knowledgeable. As mentioned above you really need to be self motivated, tutors are there for support, but at the end of the day you have to do the work.

This qualification has helped me to improve my management skills, my knowledge of the wider business world has certainly increased. I am now a much more confident person in my role. The sense of achievement helps me to build confidence in both my role and my studies. Parts of the studies include gaining (honest) feedback from colleagues, which has helped me to improve my ways of working.

Activities on the social include face to face networking events with colleagues on different apprenticeship programmes, which is really helpful both in terms of studying but networking for work. Pearson also pays for apprentices to join the Apprentice Association which is really useful for support and networking. I have also trained to be a Pearson Apprentice Ambassador, to support colleagues who are studying or looking to study.

Yes

Pearson as a business has a very supportive apprenticeship programme. Whether studying or not, everyone at Pearson is encouraged to be inclusive. There are several groups to join, which bring people together with similar interests, across the global business. Well being is a huge part of support, ensuring people have a work/life balance, and added benefits, e.g. Exceptional pension scheme, discounts, private health care, mental health first aiders, free GP online appointments.

Research the Pearson business to understand how big the business is and how the potential role fits into the wider business. Reach out to people who already work at Pearson, many are on LinkedIn. Study the job description and match your skills to meet the description. Think about what you can bring to the role and how you would add value to the company.