A World Where You Can: Meet Bonnie Lewis

Jacobs Environmental Degree Apprentice, Bonnie Lewis joined Jacobs in 2019 and is studying part-time for a degree in Environmental Science. Here, Bonnie discusses her apprenticeship journey, and how it has helped build management and organizational skills, balancing between working and studying time. She shares insights on aspects to consider if you are considering an apprenticeship, and how the experiences have helped her personal development alongside the apprenticeship.

What’s your apprenticeship journey been like so far? 

I joined Jacobs in September 2019 and have had an enriching journey since then. While working at Jacobs, I have studied part-time for a degree in Environmental Science (Level 6 Environmental Practitioner Apprenticeship) at Kingston University. My career began in the Environment team, where I had the opportunity to work on projects for some of our biggest clients. This role offered a diverse experience within various environmental disciplines and included numerous site visits. In my earlier years, I was encouraged to support other areas of the business, which helped me increase my business awareness and expand my network. This included involvement in health and safety, stakeholder communications and sales.

In the summer of 2023, I made an agile career move to the Social Impact team. In this new role, I support Jacobs in driving positive impact through different company initiatives. This requires me to collaborate with people across the business to champion this work, and challenge today to reinvent the possibilities of tomorrow. Currently, I am completing my end point assessment and am looking forward to completing in June 2025.

How do you find the balance between working and studying at the same time? 

Balancing work and university demands was challenging at times, but it has taught me a lot about my learning style and adaptability. My approach evolved over the learning period as I discovered what worked best for me. Whenever possible, I leaned on the support of the breadth of roles and experience at Jacobs to connect my studies with real-world project applications. In my final year, I proactively engaged with my line manager to align my assignments and focus periods with work deadlines, ensuring there were no conflicts. The apprentice experience significantly enhances your time management and organizational skills, as it requires you to manage two different roles simultaneously.

Are there any characteristics that you need to be an apprentice?

Successfully managing an apprenticeship requires you to have a genuine passion for your chosen studies and work. It demands dedication over several years and the ability to meet various deadlines. If you are confident networking with a diverse range of people, both within the workplace and externally, this will help you build a solid support base from day one. You will use this network throughout your time as an apprentice, so it is really important to build connections, including within your apprentice cohort. Don't hesitate to seize opportunities as they arise; by enhancing your business awareness and professional profile as an apprentice, you are setting yourself up for a successful career.

Are there any considerations to think about when doing an apprenticeship? 

Have fun along the way! It is the start of your career, and you are in a unique position to learn from some of the best in your industry. At the same time, there are lots of opportunities to try something new – whether that is through Jacobs Employee Networks, on different projects, or even working with other areas of the business. Being an apprentice is a great opportunity for professional development, but also to understand more about yourself as you will be challenged to leave your comfort zone at times.

Is there anything you’re particularly proud of? 

I am proud of my personal development alongside my apprenticeship. Joining as a nervous 19-year-old, who had no experience in the corporate world, to being 25 years old and about to tick off my biggest achievement yet. In between this, I have moved out and became a homeowner, found new hobbies, become a lot more confident and met some of Jacobs’ leadership team. The experiences that Jacobs has offered me has helped me inside and outside of my working life, and I am so excited to see what is next!

Is there any advice that you’d give to anyone who’s thinking about their options? 

My advice to someone considering different entries into a career is to speak to as many people as possible. Also, ask about their entry into careers and make sure that you have a variety of mentors – previous and current apprentices, graduates, people that stepped straight into a career from school. There are more opportunities for change in your career than you think, with more companies supporting agile career moves, and people going back to education later in life. So don’t think that the choices you make now are forever but do consider what opportunities companies can give you to keep life at work fun!