Analyst Review

My role is of Business analyst. I work on a variety of different projects as per the needs of the company at the time. Most of my work is providing support to teams, sometimes proof reading documents, booking meeting rooms, recording actions. I have taken part in meetings and made presentations to clients. I developed a social media strategy for my project and was responsible for creating and sending newsletters to over 2,000 people across the UK. At the same time I complete a part time degree, which theoretically ties in to the work we do on project. There have also been opportunities to complete external qualifications.

I have developed a sense of confidence that has given me the ability to make presentations to large group and give coherent explaniations of my work or thoughts on certain issues. I am able to use excel to a high standard to record and manioulate data. I can use specialist tools such as MailChimp or Microsoft Sway. I have studied management theory and the implications of globalisation at university, as well as more technical courses in database and information management.

I have been on this scheme for two years. For the past year I have been travelling to the mainland UK almost every week Monday-Thurday. I would get up at 4am to be in the office for 10am and complete a full days work, then on Thursday I would leave at 5pm and be home at 10pm. Often I wouldn't leave the office until 7pm, a couple of times staying after 9pm. When I eventually got back to the hotel I would have to do university work, such as essays, coursework or revision. Most of the time I was too exhausted to do any meaningful work. I was given work above my grade in an unfamiliar environment and little downtime. It had a huge impact on my mental health. I tried to attain councelling but with a full time job it was impossible. Eventually I talked to my manager. Action was taken to reduce my hours for a time and I have been able to seek support outside of work. I was taken off my project and have been able to work at home. However many of the people I work with are experiencing similar things. It is nearly impossible to balance university work with a 9-5 job. This has been brought before management multiple times and is always dismissed, telling us "you knew what you signed up for" or "you need to manage your time better". This made it extremely difficult to ask for help, for fear of my job or simply being shrugged off. The apprentices themselves are a fairly tight-knit group, and within my department most people are friendly and welcoming. While travelling, we would sometimes meet up for dinner in the evenings and have team meetings every so often as well. However, being away travelling meant missing out on seeing team members throughout the week and a detachment from the department.

Within my project I felt like I was quite highly valued. I was praised when doing good work and occasionally the director would go out of his way to comment on my work. I was listened to in my department and had a good relationship with my manager, developing a reputation as somebody who was reliable and hard working. I recieved a number of awards to congratulate me on pieces of work as well as a year end bonus.

The programme is very badly organised. There doesn't seem to be much involvement in terms of university. We have recieved mixed messages with regards to when we have been supposed to come in or what target grades we have to get, which led to a large number of people not recieving bonuses or being put forward for review. Some people were not told what modules they would be studying until the day before term began. There is also a lack of knowledge over how fast we can progress in the company and what happens after the programme. The initial training period was long, tedious and at times unnessary (a whole day was dedicated on how to use email). We have a number of people to go to for support and regular meetings, however these can also be tedious. The year end performance review is extremely confusing, however I believe this is a firm wide issue.

Within university we are provided with a course director who we are advised to go to with any queries or issues. Aside from this and our two tutors there isn't much support given.

There is a hierarchy of support available to us, from peers upwards for a range of personal, professional and technical needs. There is an occupational health facility I have been in touch with who have beenvery supportive. Contact with support team is not always meaningful, and we are mosly left to our own devices.

I currently live at home and am happy enough with the wage I get. Any business expenses (flights, hotels, etc) are paid for while on project. We have the option of benefits however at my level this is not very much. There is also a pension scheme that both we and our employer contribute to. However this is a fixed wage, so when working beyond the standard 9-5 it was probably only just around or below minimum wage.

There are team dinners and meetings every so often and an away day and a Ball in the summer. We also work with a charity which money is raised for in the office through different events throughout the year. When a number of people are travelling there is often informal dinners or outings arranged after work. My only negative comment would be that these are often infrequent or happening in another branch of the company.

No

I greatly appreciate the opportunities that have been provided to me and I enjoy the relationships I have here, however it is increadibly stressful and disorganised. I joined because I was attracted by the pay and the work experience, but I would greatly warn anyone that it comes at a cost. The promises we were made before we joined have not been upheld.

During the interview stages you will participate in a group activity. Find a way to distinguish yourself, think carefully about the task. Explain your rational clearly - they will be looking at your potential. Be prepared for a long training process, use it as an opportunity to network rather than sitting bored throughout long repetitive talks - you may be on a future project with the people giving the lecture. If you are having problems talk to someone. Talk to your fellow apprentices or your manager, but be careful of which manager because some of them are not to be trusted.