Graduate Project Associate Review

I am currently working within a Project Management Office for a large ERP/SAP project. In my current role, I am mainly responsible now for the JML processes, as well as some participation in Document Management and Mailbox Management. I am also currently responsible for a small project on the account aimed at introducing new Agile ways of working - including a big drive to explore MS Teams functionality and incorporate this into the project. For example, yesterday I presented a 30min Lunch & Learn on the various features available to us and how these are changing the processes and ways of working on my project.

I have drastically improved my stakeholder management skills, as I have received a lot of experience interacting with executive leadership on my project, as well as managing stakeholders from our Systems Integrator PwC. Furthermore, I have developed my skills at using SharePoint, MS Teams, Visio and a number of other applications that are involved in my day-to-day work.

The programme has been enjoyable, as it is such a large project incorporating multiple workstreams. It has been a good learning curve that has exposed me to various different aspects of project management, and allowed me to gain skills and experience in a number of different fields. The main benefit has been to get a solid understanding in the functions of a PMO and how this translates to my career as a Project Manager in the future.

Not sure whether this refers to my job role, or my apprenticeship role? For my job role, I do not think it has been structured that well - as I seem to be placed where I am needed, rather than where I should be more my development. And then I have random tasks thrown my way, which while good experience/challenging, don't necessarily correlate to my grad scheme. My apprenticeship course at Multiverse is structured very well and the Modules are clear and concise. However, one criticism is the fact that the textbook we use does not align with the structure of the modules we cover - we jump around pages in the book, rather than following it in a linear manner, which is a bit annoying at times.

My employer is available to provide advice and listen to any issues I may have when I raise them - although one point of contention has been the amount of time I am committed to spending on my job compared to my apprenticeship - the 20% per week seems like it isn't well regarded. My employer said it is a lot of "on the job" experience that counts toward the 20%, but when I am just slogging through requests in the mailbox, or dealing with spreadsheets/SharePoint - I do not see how this correlates to my course on Project Management.

My training provider Multiverse has provided support above and beyond what was expected. As I struggled a bit with the workload between the training and my job role - they were very accommodating and supportive in giving me guidance on how to manage my time more effectively, prioritisation and advice in general.

I believe my training provider has helped immensely with my performance in my job role as it has helped me better understand how my role fits into the larger context of project management, as well as the processes, terminology, etc. behind it all. I have been able to apply what I have learnt in my day-to-day tasks and activities.

I have been involved in with the Program and Project Services Communications Team - I have been involved in managing the charity calendar that we do, as well as other initiatives. Similarly, in my current job role, I have become involved in providing Lunch & Learn trainings on MS Teams, and this is being looked at to be rolled out to a wider audience - possibly the P&PS community.

Yes

I have found Fujitsu to be very supportive in helping me work toward my professional career goals. The people I have been managed by, from my graduate manager to my assignment manager - have been invaluable in providing me with good advice, listening to my concerns and just generally helping me navigate my first steps into the corporate world - and I am glad to have the support of Fujitsu.

I would suggest candidates thoroughly research the role/business area they are applying to, perhaps attend some conferences or job fairs to learn more - before committing to a particular career path. I would also suggest learning as much as you can about Fujitsu's culture, clients and corporate philosophy -as they play a major role in how the business conducts itself.