EMPLOYEE PROFILES
STUDENT RESOURCE
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SO , YOU WANT TO BE ...
A HUMAN RESOURCES APPRENTICE ?
Alice Locket ’ s role as an HR degree apprentice at bp is opening her eyes to the variety of roles available in people management – and beyond .
What ’ s great about working as an HR degree apprentice at bp ?
One of the joys of belonging to an early careers scheme is the opportunity to rotate frequently and get a taste of different roles in the profession . Human resources ( HR ) covers all things related to an organisation ’ s people , from staff recruitment to skills development . Currently , I ’ m supporting
bp with its reorganisation , helping to design the organisational structure .
Being given a huge amount of trust at such a young age and with limited experience is an amazing compliment ; it shows that the company sees potential in you . I can truly see the benefit of the roles I perform to the business and I ’ m treated the same as my full-time colleagues ; bp also has such a great culture and I can safely call my teammates friends as well as colleagues .
What sort of person would a degree apprenticeship in HR suit ?
The role is intense as you have to juggle a full degree with a job , so you must be mindful of balancing time commitments and expectations . You must be willing to learn proactively from corporate activity . Being able to take a step back and reflect on the bigger picture is also a favourable attribute .
What subjects would it be useful to study at school and what practical experience is beneficial ?
Within my cohort , we have a range of previous educational qualifications . The similarity lies in us all having worked part-time while studying , teaching us to balance our time and share learning between the classroom and workplace . This is a key skill that will stand out on your CV and explicitly show your time-management .
Studying business has proved useful during my first year of university . The communication and writing skills developed from English Literature and Psychology have helped me to articulate myself professionally and work well with others .
With the world ever-shifting towards digital ways of working , studying IT would have helped me understand certain processes quicker . Part of the joy of my role , however , is learning on the job and covering this skill as part of my degree .
“ It ’ s vitally important to be your true self ; that way , you can build authentic relationships with your colleagues ”
Could you outline the routes into entry-level roles in your field at your organisation ?
The early careers programme at bp has
schemes suitable for school leavers and graduates in multiple disciplines . Entering the company on one of the schemes allows you to accelerate internally into job roles suited to your skills and interests .
What personal skills and qualities would you need ?
Curiosity and an eagerness to learn has certainly served me well ! It helps show you are engaged and value the time that other people have given to you . Most importantly , though , it ’ s vitally important to be your true self ; that way , you can build authentic relationships with your colleagues .
How could your career develop as a degree apprentice at your organisation or beyond ?
My corporate practice in HR , degree in business management and chartered management qualifications open up a plethora of roles internally . Within the HR discipline , the expertise I am gaining opens the door nicely to becoming an HR business partner . The skills are also transferable to other roles within the business due to the leadership principles from the progamme .
What has been the highlight of your job so far ?
Knowing that every day I can add value and make a tangible contribution to the functioning of the business , ultimately serving my colleagues . Working with people around the globe with different experiences has also enhanced my maturity and social network . Above all , I relish the trust put in me and am so thankful knowing that I have secure career prospects .