Job Profile: Marc

Backdoor & Warehouse Manager

Achieved three A-levels and one AS level – Sociology, Psychology, Music Technology and Philosophy - at Neath College, South Wales. Later achieved a 2:1 degree in Anthropology.

Although I already had a degree, I decided I wanted to get onto a training programme that offered more responsibility. I felt ready to learn and experience a lot in a shorter time frame – and the Trainee Management Options programme offered me exactly that. I certainly feel that taking on this programme has given me a lot of respect from managers and colleagues. Although you're thrown in the deep end, you're given the support you need to achieve. What's more, you gain a lot of technical knowledge along the way. Not to mention the kind of valuable managerial, leadership and interpersonal skills you keep for life.

“The support from the team around me has been invaluable.”

Having been to university, I had more time to reflect on my options and choices. But I can see how moving into a career straight from college can mean taking on a mature outlook more quickly. It certainly puts you in good stead for the outside world and the world of business. That said, this course doesn't discriminate against those with or without degrees. I'm a little older than some of my fellow trainees – but there's no discrimination there either. Basically, if you're someone who's keen to learn while working in a demanding environment, you'll fit in.

“It's about having a positive personality.”

Succeeding here takes the ability to be patient and understanding of people who are either ahead or behind you in their training – everyone learns at a different pace. It's also about being dedicated and persistent in achieving your goals. Overall a positive outlook will pay back dividends. Personality is big factor: it's about how you interact with others and how you keep calm and focused in busy situations.