Next Step Apprenticeships
Camilla - Senior Leader Master's Degree
I
began this MBA and senior leader apprenticeship with a clear idea of what I
wanted to gain from it. Having already achieved an MSc I felt I had a good idea
of the academic requirements, and I was confident that I could comfortably meet
them. At work I was supported by a
connected team and a genuine belief in democracy, but I wanted to bring greater
academic rigour and thinking to the development of the Scrutiny function at the
County Council.
Cue
March 2020 and embarking upon the apprenticeship journey spectacularly
coinciding with the global pandemic! The uncertainty of lockdown, of home
schooling my dyslexic daughter with no support or lessons from her school and
working full time almost saw me quit the apprentice journey without really beginning. I am very glad I didn’t.
In
reaction to this experience, I gave myself permission to fully commit to the
MBA, in a way I don’t think I did with any previous study. I used study to give
me a degree of sanctuary from the uncertainty of the pandemic. This enabled me
to feel comfortable with the necessary change at work. Moving from having a
strong routine and long-standing bond with my team to solitary working, I could
have felt adrift. I did not. I embraced remote working and worked with my team
to help stay connected. The breadth of connections on the MBA from different
spheres of business, with different perspectives and insight also widened my
horizons. This development coincided
with much of the first module on the MBA on foundations of strategy and
leadership. I found this module profound in the emphasis that it placed upon
individual leadership through depth of personal understanding, and tools like
journaling very helpful.
Home-schooling
my daughter brought into sharp relief her struggles and in turn made me face my
own. Through Exeter University I began to explore some of the challenges that I
experience and through a gruelling process I was diagnosed as being
neurodivergent. I can honestly say that this realisation has
changed my life by enabling me to understand at a deep level
my personal and vocational journey so far.
It has allowed me to celebrate some of my best qualities including my
creativity, speed of analysis and desire to connect with people! Through better
understanding, I have also forgiven my past mistakes and foot-faults.
There
are many practical examples of knowledge that I will take from the MBA, the
learning on innovation, in particular, will stay with me. I am certain that my
contributions to my organisation through discussions on innovation with peers
and senior officers will continue to have relevance. I will also take away a
plethora of tools and strategies for analysis and strategy development, which I
have already applied at work. I do feel that the greater academic exploration
of themes at work has brought an improvement in thinking and my confidence to
lead and champion them. For example, sparking
the conversation with Councillors about their purpose to encourage their
strategic thinking when carrying out the policy development part of Scrutiny work.
Ultimately
though as I come to the end of my MBA and apprentice journey I reflect upon the
unlooked-for personal development and depth of understanding of myself that
will now enable me to be the best leader I can be.
Camilla
Head of Scrutiny, Democratic Services & Scrutiny Secretariat
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