I'm currently studying towards my Project Management degree at the University of Cumbria, one day a week online. The other four days are in the workplace and across Thames Water sites working and learning with my team.
On the 2nd of September 2024 marked an exciting milestone as I embarked on this new chapter as an apprentice with Thames Water. My journey began when I was searching for a Degree Apprenticeship in Project Management as in today’s ever-evolving job market I wanted to make the right career choice. I barely knew of 'Thames Water' before applying, but researching them during and after the application phases helped me to get a good image of the company as a whole.
I found that choosing an apprenticeship with Thames Water offers an exciting blend of hands-on experience, professional development while still receiving structured teaching and learning from the university course. This apprenticeship program has allowed me to gain a comprehensive understanding of the water and wastewater industry, which is not only essential but continually evolving.
Overall, I chose Thames Water as they offer an exceptional opportunity for anyone looking to embark on a rewarding career in a crucial industry.
‘Are you a leader or a follower’, is a question that my father has consistently asked me from as early as I can remember and still does to this day.
It has been a cornerstone of my upbringing to question, lead and have a degree of self-belief. It has fuelled my drive and ambition and my hunger to learn and grow. From secondary school, I knew that I wanted to work in business and take on managerial principles as they form the foundational structure for anyone hoping to succeed in business.
My first job was when I was 16, I was a receptionist for 2 years at The Laboratory Spa and Health Club, whilst I was studying at Sixth Form. I was really interested in project management, but I wasn’t sure that I wanted to take up full-time studying or end up with a massive student loan. An apprenticeship seemed a great way to learn while also earning a good wage and supporting myself.
Throughout the week, the work itself varies, but my day usually consists of a mix of practical tasks and learning. For example, I join meetings with my team which helps give new insights into the projects I’m working on and gives me a chance to collaborate with the rest of the Thames team.
There also is periods of self-guided learning where I have the opportunity to learn about new systems and about the company. A challenge I have faced is getting used to all of the different software's and understanding all the different terminology used across Thames.
