5 Minutes with Business Management Apprentice: Amy

"One piece of advice a senior leader told me, that has stuck ever since is 'Make yourself do the one thing you fear the most until you fear it no more'."

So Amy, Tell us about what are you working on at the moment?

Currently I sit in the Leadership and Personal Development Team within HR. Over the past six months I have been project co-ordinating the BBC’s Hilda Matheson, Women in Leadership programme. This has included managing the logistics of the programme which runs in 7 BBC locations, organising large scale events such as their graduation which took place in BBC Glasgow, designing the programme content and evaluating the effectiveness of the programme. I also project co-ordinate the leadership and career development workshops, organising events for our BBC leaders.

How exciting, you must be very busy! And what about challenges - What has been your biggest challenge so far?

My biggest fear and my most important development goal is to be able to improve my public speaking. One piece of advice a senior leader told me, that has stuck ever since is “make yourself do the one thing you fear the most until you fear it no more”. Therefore, during the graduation event I presented to a group of 83 individuals, by facilitating ice breakers. In an earlier placement, I also presented a piece of research to the Children in Need Executive Board. These have both been brilliant opportunities to practice. This is still work in progress but I have begun to overcome these challenges by coaching myself into having a positive mindset. But as cliché as it sounds.. with presenting practice really does make perfect.

It's incredible that you've challenged yourself to develop new skills, self-development and growth is a huge part of getting through an apprenticeship. Now that you have a couple of years under your belt, what three words would you have used to describe yourself before the apprenticeship vs after the apprenticeship?

Before: Shy, Afraid and Determined

After: Confident, Resilient and Curious

I have always been pretty determined but shy and afraid are definitely two words I would have associated with myself and people would know me as. Stepping out of my comfort zone was never really an option before.

Throughout my three placements I have been given brilliant opportunities to develop myself and my skillset and constantly throwing myself into the deep end has led to my confidence increasing three fold. Working whilst studying for a degree is hard work but this accelerates your development and also makes you feel like you are the most resilient person in the world!

"Working whilst studying for a degree is hard work but this accelerates your development and also makes you feel like you are the most resilient person in the world!"

We've spoken about challenges, but what has been the highlight of the scheme for you?

The highlight for me has been making close friends with the other Business Management Apprentices on the scheme. Working full time whilst studying for a degree has been challenging but we have all helped each other along the way and had fun whilst doing it. My colleagues are also really friendly and everyone really does want the best for you.

We'll be recruiting for our 2020 intake very soon, if you could give one piece of advice to people starting out in their career what would it be?

Take every opportunity you can get your hands on. Ultimately, your career journey is what you make of it. If you are passionate about something, network with your colleagues and ask to help out on that project, or volunteer for that company to build up your skills. You can do anything you put your mind to!