Adult Education: Sharon Stewart
Date published:
Sharon Stewart, Income Operations Manager at Northumbrian Water shares her experience:
I recently completed a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management and CMI Level 5 Accreditation in Operations/Departmental Manager. I was part of a cohort of colleagues from different areas of the business who were the first from NWL to complete this apprentice program.
It was an excellent opportunity to build on my existing leadership knowledge with theory and practical learning modules. I gained experience in various management approaches; leading and managing people, project management, decision making, self awareness and communication.
There were challenges of balancing external studying with my day job. I underestimated the time commitment needed and at times it felt overwhelming. When I needed to refocus, I talked any concerns through with my tutor and other cohorts, we really helped each other get to the finish line. The sense of achievement gained as I progressed through the course and the opportunity to gain externally recognised qualifications were great driving forces.
Six months after qualifying, I successfully obtained a promotion to an Operational Manager role in the company. I believe that the learning, skills and confidence gained during the program contributed to me securing this new position.
As leaders we put a lot of time and effort into developing our teams to ensure that they have the right skills for the job but often we neglect our own development needs. At any stage in your career, it’s important to spend some time thinking about where you want to progress to, how you get there, or how do you continue to develop your skills in your existing role to be the best you can be. Your personal development is in your own hands and only you can drive that.