Business Consultant Review

My role involves a mix of client-facing work, financial management, and project execution across several BP-related initiatives. These include Aviation, Comms & External Affairs, Commercialisation, Castrol, Dataworx, and Trading and Shipping. In addition to my project responsibilities, I also manage finances and commercials for my managers projects, ensuring accurate forecasting, budgeting, and financial oversight.
Day to day is different depending on the project I am on! Ranging from using systems and excel to complete commercials to updating websites on AEM for Castrol.

Yes, I was given a significant amount of responsibility during my placement, which allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. I independently managed commercial tasks such as creating forecasting trackers, preparing billing documents, and maintaining financial oversight for a key client portfolio. I also led and facilitated high-impact events, including a career development session featuring senior IBM professionals and a charity run for the BP account. In addition, I took ownership of my contributions to the Website Publishing Team’s Font Update project, where I exceeded my personal target by fixing over 500 pages. These responsibilities required strong time management, attention to detail, and confidence in decision-making, and I was trusted to deliver high-quality outcomes across each task. I feel that the trust placed in me allowed me to demonstrate my reliability, leadership, and ability to handle complex and varied workstreams.

Over the past six months, I have developed a broad and impactful skill set across collaboration, event management, commercial analysis, technical tools, and leadership. I have led and facilitated multiple initiatives, including high-visibility events such as the BP Fun Run and career development sessions, while also taking ownership of key commercial responsibilities such as creating forecasting trackers, managing billing processes, and conducting portfolio analysis. I have become confident using tools such as the Integrated Planning and Performance Framework, Adobe Experience Manager, and Microsoft Excel, and have introduced new processes that improved the efficiency of the wider team. I have balanced a demanding workload by prioritising effectively and managing multiple projects at once, including the Font Update project where I exceeded my personal target by fixing over 500 pages. In addition to my core responsibilities, I have completed over 166 hours of learning and earned seven digital credentials, which I have applied directly to my day-to-day work. Through observing strong leadership, mentoring colleagues, and stepping outside of my comfort zone, I believe I have demonstrated IBM’s core growth behaviours by being resourceful, growth minded, outcome focused, courageous, and team oriented. This experience has strengthened both my professional capabilities and my understanding of the career direction I would like to pursue in the future.

I received a strong level of support and guidance throughout my placement, which played a key role in my development. My task manager, foundation manager, and wider team were always approachable and willing to offer help, whether I had questions about specific tasks or wanted feedback on how to improve. I also benefited from structured mentorship, particularly in commercial areas like billing and forecasting, where experienced colleagues took the time to explain processes clearly and guide me through real-world examples. Regular check-ins and team meetings provided a platform to raise challenges, reflect on progress, and set new goals. Beyond my immediate team, communities such as BP Champions, Early Year Professionals, and Sheroes offered additional support, collaboration opportunities, and exposure to new ideas. Overall, the balance of independence and guidance gave me the confidence to take ownership of my work while always knowing support was there when needed.

The company culture was very welcoming and inclusive, creating a positive and collaborative atmosphere from day one. Everyone was approachable and willing to help, which made it easy to ask questions and learn. There was a strong emphasis on teamwork and open communication, with regular opportunities to share ideas and contribute to projects. The environment encouraged personal growth and development, with managers and colleagues supporting each other’s success. Overall, it felt like a place where people genuinely cared about their work and about helping each other succeed.

I really enjoyed my placement because it gave me the chance to apply what I have learned in a real work environment. I found the tasks interesting and challenging, which helped me grow my skills and confidence. The supportive team and positive company culture made the experience even more rewarding. Overall, it was a valuable and enjoyable opportunity that I would gladly do again.

Yes