PMO Support Assistant Review

The role I am involved on is in PMO assistant support. I help with a client called Countrywide, and am in a group of four other individuals. I deal with the more consultant side of the PMO, and then another member deals with the Project Management side. Since being on this role I have been able to meet many members, including project managers and consultants which has allowed me to grow both my network and form relationships which other members. This has also allowed me to have opportunities to do little bits of work for other members, to give me a variety and understanding of all the roles and sectors which are involved on my project. My work mostly is done in excel, which means I have had to improve my skills, from both other members and courses which are available to me online.

The skills which I feel I have gained since starting CGI are: My confidence, my communication skills, my excel skills. The skills I feel I have developed are my writing skills in e-mails as I have to change my tone to suit the audience. My communication skills have developed the most out of everything as I have had to become more confident and meet members in order to gain more opportunities and to extend my network.

Doing both a degree and a full time job at times can be very hard, however I feel my time management has allowed it to be a lot easier. This opportunity was perfect for me, as I get to learn as well as apply it to an every day situation in CGI. I really enjoy both the social side of the SDP as well as the team I work within and the people I get to meet. Everyone is so friendly in the company, and I feel like I am valued among my team.

I feel since starting CGI, my involvement within tasks in the project has grown. I feel that CGI recognise members, and praise them when needs be. I feel that my manager appreciates the work I complete for him, and always gives me feedback which I can then take on to improve.

I feel that the programme is very well organised. The induction week helped me gain an insight into CGI. The buddy scheme provided me with support as I was able to talk to someone who had been in my position, and is on a more in-formal level, compared to managers. My people manager was also good support in both helping me to improve my skills, as well as helping me choose my career path and the best way to allow it to grow. The programme is well organised, and I feel with both the work and university reps I have a clear understanding of what is happening. I also know who to go to if the information is unclear.

At university I feel we have a lot of support, from Stella who runs the university side of the programme and is in constant contact with Lucy who is in charge of the programme. There are clear timetables of when and where we are meant to be on given days and there is a lot of guidance and support.

I feel supported from work more than anything. I have a people manager, buddy, WBS mentor and a project manager and project team. I always have someone to go to if I need help, and they are always willing to help. With most of them I have a weekly call where we can discuss any problems or basically anything; I feel this constant contact has helped develop a relationship which has made me feel supported.

I am living at home until I have finished year three of the sponsored degree programme. So, personally from my point of view my salary meets my costs and allows me the flexibility to fund both my travel costs and social costs. I only live a 45 minute drive from my base office, so at the moment it is perfect.

There are many company events such as Christmas parties and social clubs. Many people I know are part of the football team, and there are always events on which many people are invited to. From the sponsored degree programme most years all invite each other to events such as birthdays and nights out, and it allows my network to grow, as well as socialising with people out of a work environment.

Yes

I didn't want to go to full-time university and am more of a practical person, and I feel the sponsored degree programme has allowed me to apply my learning to a real-life situation.

In the application process, just try and make sure you fit everything in, and show your strengths as well as areas to develop. In the assessment days ask lots of questions and socialise with both the other interviewees and the members at CGI. The on boarding process seemed very scary as it went from 0-100, but after the first day it all started making sense, and you feel supported. There are many experiences and I didn't realise how many roles and opportunities there were until I joined CGI.