Some see barriers, others only see the goal

How I came to be at Openreach

A previous RAF manager of mine recommended working for Openreach after I left the RAF. I joined Openreach on its ‘Accelerated Leadership Programme’. Having researched the programme, I liked the idea of doing three different rotations that meant I could learn and sample different areas of the business.

I’m learning a whole new industry and I had no previous commercial experience. So don’t let that put you of applying! The transition from military has been a very positive experience. I find everyone supportive and Openreach people go out of their way to help you.

There are similarities between the RAF and Openreach. Both are large organisations and they have that structured element, team-work and team ethics.

A typical day

Every day is different for me, I travel quite a bit for my job. First thing, I drop off my two girls – one at nursery and one at breakfast club - for 8am. I then head into the office or travel to visit a local authority. During a typical day, I might be managing problems or dealing with multiple internal departments to create solutions. Last week, I was in Solihull on Monday, Leeds on Tuesday and Glasgow on Wednesday. This week I’m off to Salisbury and Barry Island.

Last year, I worked on a project in the ‘network health’ team, looking at testing and diagnostics. I also worked with the field teams, doing research. It was a behavioural change project, which we trialled in East Anglia and Blackwater, Hampshire. The project was educational, aimed at forming better work habits in engineering.

Now I’m working on the Fibre First programme. Day to day I work with the local authorities where we’re working hard to roll out Full Fibre as quickly as possible.

If you’re thinking of a new career in Openreach, I say go for it! Check out the latest opportunities here.

Cheryl Burgess

Accelerated Leadership Programme