Caroline, Automation Consultant at IBM
Caroline, Automation Consultant
Please tell us about your role within the company you work for and what this involves. How does it relate to the degree apprenticeship?
In my role as a lead developer, I have had the opportunity to work with a range of public sector clients, including police forces, to help them embrace digital automation and streamline their operations. This has mainly involved designing and implementing solutions that are tailored to their specific needs and goals. Furthermore, I have applied knowledge learnt from the Networks and Infrastructure models when designing and configuring the required automation infrastructure. In addition to the technical work of development and implementation, I have also supported on the discovery and analysis phase, which has allowed me to apply the knowledge and skills I have gained in my degree apprenticeship in the areas of IT consultancy and business analysis.
One of the key benefits of the work I have been doing is that it has allowed these organisations to free up their workforce to focus on more important tasks. By automating certain processes and streamlining others, we have been able to increase efficiency and productivity, and allow employees to focus on more value-added activities. This has helped these organizations to better serve their communities and reduce pressure on their workforce.
Overall, my work as a lead developer has been deeply rewarding and has allowed me to make a meaningful contribution to the success of these organisations. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply my taught knowledge and skills in a real-world setting and to be part of a team that is making a positive impact on the wide community.
How have you found balancing study for the apprenticeship with a busy working life – any hints and tips?
Balancing the demands of your daily role with those of your degree can be a challenging task, particularly when you are facing coursework deadlines or exams. One effective strategy for managing your time in this situation is to establish clear boundaries and designate specific blocks of time for university work. By setting aside dedicated periods for focused study and coursework, you can ensure that you are making progress on your degree while still fulfilling your responsibilities in your daily role.
Another helpful tip for managing your time is to start your coursework assignments as early as possible. This can be especially beneficial when the course material for a particular week is related to a part of your assignment, as it will allow you to apply the information you have just learned while it is still fresh in your mind. By getting a head start on your assignments, you will also spread out the workload and avoid feeling overwhelmed as deadlines approach.
How have you benefited from the degree apprenticeship programme?
In my opinion, the degree apprenticeship structure was the best choice for me after college. Rather than solely relying on classroom learning, this approach combines practical experience with academic coursework. For me, this was much more engaging and allowed me to constantly think about how I could apply what I was learning in the real world. I believe that this is the most valuable aspect of the apprenticeship, as it provides the opportunity to gain hands-on experience throughout the entire degree program.
It is especially rewarding when you are able to apply what you have learned to your daily work tasks and make a tangible contribution to your organisation; in my case I learnt about requirements gathering and analysis on the course and then showcased this in finding suitable processes for automation. Additionally, the combination of academic study and practical experience can provide a well-rounded education that prepares you for a successful career.
What has your experience at the University of Exeter been like?
It is crucial to have a workplace mentor who has gone through a similar degree programme as you, as they can offer valuable insights and guidance based on their own experience. Your mentor can provide tips on how to get the most out of your degree, as well as help you navigate any challenges or obstacles that may arise. They can also serve as a resource for understanding the guidelines you need to follow when dealing with sharing potentially sensitive information or data.
In addition to your workplace mentor, it is also important to have an academic mentor who can keep you accountable for your coursework and help you stay on track. However, it is ultimately up to you to manage your own time and progress. To that end, it can be helpful to form a small group with other students who are pursuing the same specialism as you. This group can serve as a supportive network, providing opportunities to share ideas, discuss course material, and hold each other accountable for meeting deadlines and completing assignments.
If you are considering pursuing a degree apprenticeship, it is important to remember that you do not need to have a strong technical background or advanced technical skills to succeed. While it may be helpful to have some familiarity with technology, the key is to have a willingness to learn and a dedication to your studies. Your Exeter degree apprenticeship will give you the opportunity to learn technical skills in a practical setting. This can be an incredibly effective way to acquire new knowledge and build your expertise, whilst helping you to build confidence and competence more quickly than you might in a traditional academic setting.
