Lisa Brooks-Lewis gives insight into what it is like to do an apprenticeship alongside your job, as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

Find out more about apprenticeships at Loughborough University.

What is your current job role?

I am the Social Impact and Inclusivity Manager in the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Services.

Tell us about your apprenticeship role?

I am on the last element of the Senior Leader Apprenticeship – MSc Strategic Leadership pathway. So far I have completed modules in Business Ethics, Strategic Information Systems, Organisational Resources and Strategic Marketing.  

What inspired you to do an apprenticeship?

Having worked within the University for nine years, I was really interested in learning more about strategic drivers in Higher Education, learning how to analyse our current position institutionally and looking for interventions to support the University’s strategic priority of creating a vibrant and inclusive environment. This course supports my skill set of problem-solving, working with stakeholders and identifying solutions based on frameworks or theory.  

What is it like doing this alongside your job?

I have a very supportive academic mentor and line manager, Veronica Moore, who has supported and enabled me to work alongside stakeholders both internally and externally to fulfil the demands of the apprenticeship. My EDI services colleagues are extremely supportive, they listen to me talk about my learning. Taking on studying, working, being a mum and being neurodiverse means that I must ensure I organise myself and use assisted technology to support this activity. Some days are harder than others.  

What is your favourite project you’ve worked on within your apprenticeship?

Recently, as part of my role stemming from the apprenticeship, I started undertaking an audit of special category data, how this data links to the EDI work across the University, the governance structures, information systems and how this data is used currently. I’m hoping to use this to support our strategic endeavours moving forward making short-term and longer-term recommendations.  

What do you hope to do with your apprenticeship in the future?

As I move into the final element of my apprenticeship, I hope to continue on to the master’s. I hope to continue to support the strategic priorities within Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity. 

If you would like to feature in ‘5 Minutes With’, or you work with someone who you think would be great to include, please email Soph Dinnie at S.Dinnie@lboro.ac.uk.