Junior Project Manager Review

I assit the senior project managers on my projects and offer assistance across my account and portfolio, so I meet and communicate with lots of peple. I also own my own work packages which I have responsibility for and have to report on. My day to day is check progress on work completed, financial work, checkpointing with the various teams in the projects. I am also expected to communicate with our client on the progress of the work.

I have learnt new skills like: Meeting minutes Acurate Actions Budgeting and forecasting spend Excel skills Communication skills (internal and external facing) Increase in confidence Time management skills Meeting deadlines Setting reasonable goals for myself Learnt to give thanks to people and let their manager know when they have done good work I have learnt lots of soft skills that helps me build my professional personality inside the workplace, which is great to have for current and future situations I find myself in.

I really enjoy the degree apprenticeship. It give me the chance to blend learning about business and IT. I did struggle with university slightly at the beginning due to it being very different from college. CGI are very supportive and have lots of people around who you can contact about issues and my managers are very understanding if I am struggling with some university work or am overloaded at a certain time. My team are a great bunch of people, great to work with and supportive if needed. We all pitch in to make something happen, and I haven't experienced a time where someone hasn't given 100% in work I have asked them to complete. This is reflected across the account and the whole company, when I have met others from around the business. I really enjoy the work I do, and learning alongside at university is an amazing oppotunity that I am making the most of.

The structure provided from CGI inside the workplace is well thought out and is created with the students in mind, not others around them. The support levels are really good and there are so many other people in the same situation, they are always happy to help. The structure at university is good, but you have to remember that these courses are still designed for tradition university students and that it may not be a 100% clean cut experience as teething issues still occur.

The support recieved is brilliant. I personally have 3 levels of support around me. my project manager, my mentor on the project, and my director. Outside of this I have many friends on the management team who encourage me to discuss how I am feeling and getting on with them reguarly throughout my time at CGI. We are also assigned a mentor who is not related to the work you do, to be a supportive and considerate ear if we need it and to give advice for work and university assignments. At CGI, there is a dedicated student support team who can help with issues with university, issues in your role, moving role and other struggles you might have on the programme.

The university offers a tutor who you can contact if there are any issues you have with the universty work. The module leaders and tutors are also happy to field any questions about the work given and if we need any assistance. I have encountered 2 issues so far. The lines of communication between staff and DA's are not always clear and they sometimes do not answer emails or calls for a extended time. The second issue I faced is actually getting that assistance. Due to only being on campus one day a week and being in lectures and seminars that whole time, it is difficult to get assistance from tutors who are used to students just popping into see them in the week.

I think that the theory that I learn at university is integral to my work. Most of what I learn I can apply to my work and its led to a higher understanding of the work we do and processes we use. I also use the learning to suggest new ways of working and improving the work we do, based on what I learn at university. It also helps when communicating and working with my team, as it means I do now understand the practices behind the work they are talking about.

Yes

I think they are a brilliant company to start a career with. The level of support and opportunity offered is outstanding and invaluable to young adults who are looking for more than just a qualification. Also the work is interesting and will keep you stimulated alongside the university work. CGI degree apprentices also go on to do amazing things inside the organisation, and there is lots of support and guidence to help you get there, but the most important thing they teach you, is that to make it, you have to put the time and effort in yourself.

Top tip is don't be nervous. You have to be brave and be willing to show them all sides of your personality. Also make sure you are prepared and ready to show off how good you really are, make sure you are the person they choose over someone else. At any onboarding and introduction sessions, make sure you chat to everyone and make lots of friends and connections, this will be good when you need support or are looking for a new role somewhere else in the business. Take every oppotunity avaliable and don't be afraid to push yourself. But also, remember you can say no. I struggled to say no and overloaded myself too much. Try your best to keep a balance and stay healthy.