Job title: IT Project Manager
Business Unit: BT Exact
Joined: November 1999
I joined BT in November 1999, working at Adastral Park in Ipswich after having spent a few years working in London. My initial role was working with a team of Developers and Testers as a Software Build Manager - our team was responsible for producing Internet software for BT Internet products, which is now known as BT Yahoo!. In June 2005, I moved back to London as Change Control Manager on our ICT project for the Reuters, which is worth £1.9 billion over 7 years.
My day can start anywhere between 8am and 9am. How you work is up to you and, even though you know you have the support of management and the rest of your team, you tend to feel like your own boss. I'll usually have some calls to make with members of the project team and meetings with clients in the diary. There are always things to follow-up on so I'll also spend time distributing minutes and action plans.
I might also have some training booked in. Developing new skills and feedback on Management performance are encouraged throughout BT and I've recently had the chance to go on Prince 2 and APMP Project Management certification courses and attended the “Joining the Dots” programme where you give your feedback on the company's strategy and you have the opportunity to speak out.
The company is changing all the time and that brings with it a number of benefits for us as employees. Primarily it's the chance to move from one project to another, gain more experience and develop your career. Also, this is creating a culture where ideas are welcomed. I've learnt not to be afraid to share views - when you do that, you'll be surprised how often you hear people say 'that's a great idea!'.
Learn more about what's it's really like to work for BT.