Business & Technology Delivery New Associate Review

Depending on the project I'm on, I may be developing applications, analysing and improving business processes, creating documentation, testing or deploying applications - just a few of the roles I could be in. At the moment, as a BA, I am working with the client to create the plan for a new product, and documenting that.

Yes! Both technical and non-technical skills. Technical skills involve new programming languages and frameworks e.g. Typescript, JavaScript, Java, Golang, NodeJS. Also working with cloud providers such as AWS and Azure. Non-technical skills include creating and leading presentations, facilitating sessions with clients, working in a team in an agile manner and time management - balancing uni with work.

Overall it's a very good programme, but it's definitely what you make of it. Due to the consulting nature of the role, finding good projects that stretch you and recognise your limitations when it comes to university modules and exams etc. can be a challenge, but I like the fact that there's so much outside of the normal project work that I can get involved in, and I think that having a relatively small cohort (just under 20 apprentices) helps.

It's very much what you make of it, so if you follow all the advice that's given to you, it's well structured and makes a lot of sense. It's easy to gain new skills, try new things, test out different roles and see what you like or enjoy, and that's down to the project-based type of role, which provides both s=consistency and structure if you make it so.

There's a lot of support offered, it's just a matter of being comfortable to reach out and take it. We have other apprentices who are further ahead in the programme to help with smaller, day-to-day concerns or questions, a career counsellor who isn't related to your project but is an expert in their (and most likely your) field, as well as a line manager, supporting team, HR representative, and anyone and everyone in the organisation.

The university side of the role isn't as interesting or exciting as the project work, purely because of the nature of the degree, but there is the benefit of having a smaller group, allowing more 1 to 1 time between student and lecturer, though there's a difficulty with only having 1 day a week to dedicate to university when lecturers are available to contact, though of course they can be contacted during the normal uni week if you have time to work on both uni work and normal work.

Depending on the role I take on in my respective project, there have been occasions on which the university content matches up perfectly with the project work, but then there are also other times when the two are completely misaligned. Overall, pretty much everything we study at university does seem to be relevant in project work.

Yes! So many! There are activities that are more social, in terms of networking events and meeting people who are interesting in similar topics, whether relevant to work or more personal things. Also, there are loads of additional projects to get involved in, to develop your skills, as well as volunteering opportunities to work with a range of different groups of people and offer support via time or skill transfer too.

Yes

It's the sort of experience that, if you want to make the most of it, you can, and that's the most important part. No one will force you to get involved in additional events if you don't want to, but if you do, you can meet some amazing people, learn some exciting things, and work on some really interesting and innovative projects.

Do your research, look for people who are already working there, don't be scared to reach out to them to have a chat about what they do, what it's like and figure out whether it would be a good fit for you. You have to choose Accenture as much as Accenture has to choose you.