Business Management Trainee Review

I have a varied role within the Business Management Team - working across three main areas. These areas are supplier management, business management and the ePMO team. The business management team works on strategy planning and performance management within the ITS area. It is also responsible for financial management, people agenda and risk management so the work that my team and I do is all centred around these functions.

Since starting the programme, I have learnt a variety of new skills - specific to my role and other skills that are more general to the workplace. I have learnt and developed these through a variety of means such as one on ones with team members, internal and external training courses and just through speaking to those with more experience.

I am really enjoying the work that I am doing and being part of a supportive and collaborative team. I am given the opportunity to take on responsibilities whilst also benefitting from the company's development initiatives. The company held a thorough onboarding program that helped to settle us into work and meet other trainees. Although it is a shame that we are not in the office, I am really enjoying the many opportunities the programme offers.

The programme has been really supportive - especially when starting it remotely. I have a great support network around me that I interact with on the daily which consists of my buddy, manager and team. On top of that, we also have interaction with others on the programme and we have been building our relationships with them since the initial induction days.

I feel that I am well supported in everything I do. I am able to ask my team members for help and am able to go to the Early Careers or HR Team if there is anything outside the scope of my team that I may need addressing. There are also online resources to help you develop areas you identify as a weakness and wish to improve on.

I have monthly meetings with my training provider to make sure that I am on track with my qualification. She is also able to offer advice as to how to improve and suggest little tips in these. I am also able to contact her by email at any point if I am unsure on anything and she is always quick to respond and very helpful.

What I am learning in my qualification has been helpful in the day to day doings of my role. I am able to incorporate little tips and larger parts of theory into my work in order to make the tasks more efficient and to get more out of what I am doing.

I am part of the social committee and have been involved in organising some online initiatives for colleagues that are often in aid of charity. Additionally, I am part of several of the company's networks and just last week attended a session ran by one on woman in the workplace.

Yes

The culture at Standard Life Aberdeen is very attractive. It doesn't feel as though there is a hierarchy since everyone is entitled to the same benefits - regardless of whether you're a trainee or have been working here for 30+ years. There is also a general curiosity in the organisation and people want to develop themselves, learn about new things and help others to achieve their goals too.

My main tip would be to really research into the company and get a feel for the culture and decide if it would be a good fit for you as the organisation places you into a role they think you are well suited to so that way you can be working at a company you have chosen as a good fit for yourself and in a role that corresponds to your strengths.