Marketing and Communications Manager Review

My job title is a Marketing Communications Manager. My day to day role is mainly focused on the initial start up of projects and campaigns we are running for the product Dynamics 365. I also take on the responsibility of setting up events for Dynamics user groups who come on site here in Reading and in London to learn more about the product and what new features are coming up. Internally I have a lot of communication with the sellers and account executives after they have won a deal to gain some insight into why the won and what could have been improved. Externally I also have a lot of contact with agencies who we pay to help us with the campaigns we run to help us raise awareness.

One main skill I have learnt is Excel. Before my Apprenticeship I did not have a clue how to use the tool and now I feel I am very comfortable in creating spreadsheets and having to use different formulas. Also through the coursework and workshops I have been doing I feel I have developed my general business knowledge. I am now starting to develop my Marketing skills through an internal trainning course so I can be even better equipped for my job.

I did not know what to expect when coming into the job role as I have never had a full time job before. I came straight out of GCSE's so my business knowledge is not great. The freedom I get amazes me, my team are great, we have a great range of people within the team from experienced people to young employees like myself. The company colture is so friendly and relaxed sometimes it feels like your not even at work. My Apprenticeship has been amazing and I cannot fault it, I am so glad I took this route.

I feel very valued by Microsoft, my team try and involve in every task and project possible and my manager is very good at giving me recognition for smaller things I have done which I didn't even realise she had known that I have done. Some of us Apprentices also get some great opportunities internally that we wouldn't get anywhere else so it shows they really appreciate and care about us. At the moment the Early in career team are investing alot of time and Money in us Apprentices which really shows that they see us as prospects and not just Apprentices who won't be staying on.

I feel the structue of the programme is good. The coursework side could be improved but we have had meetings about this and QA, our training provider are working hard at improving the experience. Internally at the start there was a bit of confusion of what roles we are actually doing, as on our first day no one really knew what their roles were or who their manager was, but as the Apprenticeship has gone on it has gone from strenght to strength.

Personally my skills coach is great and I believe he is the best that QA have to offer. As I know overall the training provider can be very inconsistent and some people are having bad experiences. But on a personal level I feel they give me all the support and advice I need. I wouldn't say I really enjoy the course beacsue the coursework is very long and tiring but I know it is something that has to be done to gain the qualification!

I recieve great support from Microsoft. My manager is great and really helpful, as well as my team who are keen to give me all the advice they have.

I still live at home but travel a long way to get to work costing me £29.85 a day, but my salary can cover that and leave me enough money to live off beacsue over than that I do not have many other major bills to be paying. So I feel my salary does meet my cost.

There are many different sports clubs that you can get involved in as well as voluntary groups and company activites there is always somehting if you want to get more out of Microsoft other than just a day to day job.

Yes

It is one of the best places to work and it is experience I doubt you can get anywhere else.

Be yourself and enjoy the process because that is a great experience alone.