Junior Designer Review

Roughly 30% of your time is taken up by the Growing Greatness Apprenticeship. It combines learning (videos, podcasts, articles, events) with on the job practise (meetings, presentations, workshops). It creates a good solid framework to apply learning to things that already occur in your day job (EOY reviews, giving feedback, meetings).

Absolutely. The modules - self awareness, curiosity, meetings, relationship management, inclusivity, time management etc - are relevant for all types of jobs. I have noticed an increase of confidence, presentation skills, a rooted sense of self awareness, better communication and my knowledge of theory has directly improved the way I act in the workplace.

Thoroughly! The mix of resources mean the course caters to all different types of learners, my development coach (from FTL who you meet with virtually throughout your course) is approachable, kind and encouraging. The "homework" / practise exercises have been thought provoking and allow a good level of reflection on the learnings I have undertaken.

Very organised and structured - the modules all link as one and make sense, they build on each other and on your learnings throughout. It is tricky to juggle with workload, but this itself is a skill that needs practising. It has made me realise that everything is a learning opportunity - which I think is also true on a deeper level.

It takes roughly 30% so roughly 1.5 days per week - my employer supports me by allowing me to WFH on those coursework days, my line manager supports me through attending some specific meetings with my development coach as well as writing testimonials and preparing answers for how I have developed / exhibited the skills needed to pass the course.

Weekly drop ins from my development coach, and many touch points throughout the course. My development coach has an open door and through her "you can book me" link I can book her for whatever kind of meeting I need in advance. This is transparent and helpful. I know I can always approach her if I need clarification.

Everyone has noticed a difference! I am a more astute, educated, well rounded leader now and I am desperate for the next step to showcase all I have learnt. It definitely makes you hyper aware of how you present in work, where the work needs to be done and how you can better improve current ways of working.

Nothing for this apprenticeship - I believe there is a networking event run by FTL that we can attend. There is also a teams channel and monthly hang out to check in on our progress. It is well published who is taking the course so you feel connected to the network without having to seek it out much or try too hard.

Yes

This course is an investment. I am investing my time and asos is investing their money and also sacrificing their time to give me this space to learn and grow. But I can already see the difference on my colleagues. The ripple effect is massive, the new approaches/methodologies I am bringing in have been doing so well and gaining traction with everyone from my line manager to my head of, to younger girls in my team who I now mentor.

Absolutely do it! It is hard to juggle your time but once you have a system in place you can definitely do it. It's rewarding to self-improve and focus on you in the workplace. It provides release from the stresses of everyday too - it provides a structure for self development so you have something to work towards, and it is very relevant.