Hello, I’m Fatima Diallo and I’m currently a strategy manager in Ofcom’s Strategy and Policy team. The team is responsible for shaping Ofcom’s long-term strategy, including the development of our Annual Plan of Work and three-year business plan.

During the three years I have been in the team, I’ve had the opportunity to work across different areas. I am currently leading work on two major projects. The first is Ofcom’s Future of TV Distribution programme, which is exploring how television will be delivered over the next decade; and I’m also leading strategic analysis on the growing influence of Big Tech across Ofcom’s regulated sectors, focusing on emerging risks, opportunities and longer-term trends that could shape Ofcom’s future regulatory approach.

A typical day might include coordinating across policy teams, engaging with government and industry, producing analysis and briefings for senior leaders, and translating complex evidence into clear strategic narratives and practical policy options.

Before joining Ofcom, I was studying for my A-Levels in Psychology, Biology, Geography and English Literature, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I first learned about Ofcom’s apprenticeship scheme during a two-week work experience placement through EY when I was in Year 12. At the time, I had very little idea of what I wanted to do as a career and assumed I would follow the traditional university route after completing my A-Levels. However, those two weeks at Ofcom opened my eyes to the world of policy and I was immediately fascinated by the breadth of issues the organisation works on and the impact its work can have.

Even in that short time, I found the experience incredibly rewarding and knew that Ofcom was somewhere I would love to work. I was fortunate to have an excellent manager who told me about the apprenticeship scheme and encouraged me to apply once I’d finished my studies. A year later, I submitted my application, was lucky enough to be successful, and the rest is history!

I joined Ofcom in September 2021, at a time when the world was just emerging from the Covid-19 lockdowns. Office attendance was still limited, which at times felt quite isolating. However, my team did an incredible job of making me feel welcome and supporting my transition into working life. In particular, my line manager went above and beyond, providing the guidance, coaching and encouragement I needed to understand the role, navigate a corporate environment and ultimately thrive at Ofcom. I will always be grateful for that support.

Looking back, it’s hard to remember exactly what I expected from the apprenticeship scheme. As someone fresh out of school, everything was new, from working in a professional environment to balancing university study alongside a full-time job. It was a steep learning curve, but I quickly learned the importance of letting go of fixed expectations, embracing new challenges and giving myself the space to grow and learn.

There have been countless small moments over the years that helped me to realise that I was finding my feet at Ofcom, but two stand out in particular.

The first was being awarded Apprentice of the Year by the University of Kent. It was incredibly rewarding to be recognised for the hard work I had put into both my role at Ofcom and my studies. It also motivated me to give something back by supporting and coaching apprentices in the cohorts below me.

The second was being given the opportunity to present to Ofcom’s Senior Management Team during my time on our project relating to agility. Being trusted to present to such a senior audience so early in my career was a real vote of confidence. The feedback I received afterwards was that I was already performing at a level higher than was expected of me. Looking back, that experience gave me the confidence to continue pushing myself and taking on new challenges, and it played an important role in shaping my career progression.

By the end of my apprenticeship, I was fairly certain that I wanted to progress in the Strategy and Policy team. That ambition was largely shaped by the encouragement and advice I received from my line managers and mentors, who helped me see the opportunities available to me and gave me the confidence to apply.

Throughout the recruitment process, the early careers team provided fantastic support, from CV workshops and application guidance to interview preparation. With their encouragement and support, I was fortunate to secure an associate role, for which I remain incredibly grateful.

I’ve been fortunate to have had a relatively linear progression during my time at Ofcom. After completing my apprenticeship, I secured a promotion in the Strategy and Policy team, where I spent around 18 months before applying for another more senior position.

I owe a great deal to the colleagues, managers and mentors who believed in my potential, encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and gave me the confidence to aim higher than I might have done on my own. Their support helped me see that progression isn’t about feeling completely ready; it’s about recognising your potential and being willing to continue learning.

In fact, the best piece of career advice I received was that you’ll never feel 100% ready for the next step. If you can do around 80% of the role and are excited by the opportunity to learn the remaining 20%, that’s often a sign that you’re ready to apply.

Looking back, that mindset has served me well throughout my career so far. Some of my biggest periods of growth have come from taking on roles that felt slightly daunting at the time and trusting that I would develop the skills and confidence along the way.

The apprenticeship scheme was instrumental in helping me start my career at Ofcom. Without it, I probably would never have considered a career in policy, nor would I have believed that someone like me could secure a role at an organisation like Ofcom.

The scheme gave me the opportunity to gain practical experience while continuing my education, as well as the time, support and confidence to develop professionally. Just as importantly, it helped me build many of the fundamental skills that I rely on every day, from effective written and verbal communication to critical thinking, analysis and stakeholder engagement. Those skills have formed the foundation of my career and continue to support me as I take on new challenges and opportunities.

My biggest piece of advice would be to speak to people who are currently on the apprenticeship scheme or who have completed it. Hearing about their experiences is the best way to get a real sense of what the scheme involves and whether it’s right for you. Attending one of the future talent discovery days is a great opportunity to do that.

I would also encourage you not to worry too much about having a clear career plan from day one. One of the things that has impressed me most is the variety of paths former apprentices have taken, from permanent roles and degree apprenticeships to further study.

The scheme opens a huge number of doors and provides valuable skills, experience and professional networks that can take you in many different directions. When I joined five years ago, I had no idea I would end up where I am today. Focus on the opportunities to learn and grow, and trust that the rest will follow!