The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Administrative Assistant / Office Coordinator
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Organisation, scheduling, professional communication, basic software proficiency, attention to detail.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently manages complex calendars and meeting logistics without errors.
- Proactively identifies and resolves administrative bottlenecks.
- Receives positive feedback on organisational skills and reliability from senior staff.
- Demonstrates a keen interest in the business operations beyond daily tasks.
- 2
Project Support Officer (PSO) / Project Administrator
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Project documentation, action item tracking, stakeholder communication (internal), understanding project lifecycle basics, reporting.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully supports multiple project managers simultaneously.
- Maintains accurate project logs (RAID, action items) and ensures timely updates.
- Understands basic project governance and reporting cycles.
- Can articulate the purpose and status of projects they are supporting.
- 3
Graduate Scheme / Internship (Business or IT focused)
6 months - 1 yearSkills to master
- Structured problem-solving, corporate environment navigation, rapid learning of new tools/processes, cross-functional exposure.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully completes rotations or projects within a graduate programme.
- Demonstrates strong analytical and communication skills in a business context.
- Receives positive performance reviews from multiple managers/mentors.
- Shows a clear interest and aptitude for business transformation or IT strategy.