Institute of Occupational Medicine

In this case study we hear from Ella Mowbray-Logan from the Institute of Occupational Medicine. Ella is now in her 2nd year on our Business Management GA programme. We also hear from Michelle Reid, Director of Performance, Culture and Delivery.

Can you give us some background what you were doing before your Graduate Apprenticeship

Before my Graduate Apprenticeship I was full time at West Lothian college doing my HNC in Business Management and also working part time.

Did you ever consider a traditional degree?

I did consider a traditional degree and had actually applied for a full-time business management degree. However, after learning what a Graduate Apprenticeship was and the experience it gave people, I realised that a Graduate Apprenticeship course over a traditional degree was definitely the best option for me.

Please describe what you are employed to do in your current role (and current job title)

In my current role, I work within the finance team. I do the daily banking, timesheets, invoicing and credit control as well as helping other members within my team.

My current job title is Business Management Graduate Apprentice. 

How have you coped with the challenges of balancing working whilst studying towards a degree?

I feel I have been balancing work and study quite well. Being able to relate work to study is a big help and I have my set day at university every week as well as set study time outside work and my university day. Even though I do have to study in my own time since I am doing full-time work and a degree at the same time, I feel as long as you are motivated you will set that time aside to balance University alongside work.

What is your proudest achievement to date in your role and can you explain how this impacted on your working environment and or helped deliver results on behalf of your organisation?

Getting the customer debts under control by following processes, working under own initiative, tailoring actions to the circumstances and collaborating with colleagues where required.

My working environment has improved by now being on top of things and I have made good connections with staff who I have collaborated with.

Institute of Occupational Medicine has benefited from improved cash position and consistent dealings with customers.

Where do you feel you grew and improved the most through this apprenticeship experience? What are some examples?

I feel so far within my Graduate Apprenticeship experience that my Business Skills including Communication has improved. I have developed my application of problem-solving skills to a range of theoretical and practical challenges, and I am collaborating with colleagues daily using my communication skills.

Can you outline what support and/or encouragement your employer and the Uni has given you in your GA journey?

So far within my degree the Institute of Occupational Medicine has given me support throughout each semester, especially my workplace mentor who I can go to to ask questions that helps with my University work.

Heriot-Watt has also given me support throughout each semester. Lecturers are always keen to answer anyone’s questions and I also have my Personal Tutor Yuija who I can set meetings up with If I have any questions to do with classes and work.

What are your future career hopes and goals on completion of the Graduate Apprenticeship? Would this have been different if you had gone via the traditional undergraduate route (if applicable)?

In the short term I hope to gain more understanding and knowledge of what good management looks like and what contributes to being a good manager/leader within a workplace and making sure all relevant skills that I learn throughout my degree are put into practice within the workplace.

Looking forward more, I would love to build in my position, and ensure that I am using my knowledge and understanding from the Graduate Apprenticeship to help IOM as a company to strive and reach Company Goals and Objectives - doing this is very important to me.

If I had done a traditional degree I would not be able to apply all of this knowledge that I am learning from my degree to a workplace. I feel doing the Graduate Apprenticeship allows me to apply theory from University to practical situations in work, which also allows me to have a better understanding of the University material that is being taught. This in turn ensures that I’m growing in work throughout my years at University, which I feel will give me opportunities for growth.

How would you sum up your overall experience of the Graduate Apprenticeship programme so far?

My overall experience of the Graduate Apprenticeship program so far has been very good. I have enjoyed all my classes throughout each semester and feel I am benefiting from the work I am doing in University in relation to work. I look forward to learning more during my degree and applying my knowledge to the workplace.