Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life of Reece Mackay

15 Nov 2024

This week, we are celebrating the amazing careers in a variety of industries for Scottish Careers Week! Today, we are shining a spotlight on our Business Administration apprentice, Reece Mackay.

Starting my apprenticeship here has opened up many opportunities, including access to engaging training courses like “Comedy & Confidence,” with Anna Devitt which has been a blast. Learning about different people’s thought processes and why we think the way we do in certain situations has been eye-opening.

In my role, I’ve gained numerous connections in the business community, and attending events I never imagined being part of has been amazing.

I’ve learned so much over the past year by challenging myself and taking every opportunity I can. My hope is to continue learning and, one day, use the knowledge and experience I’ve gained to develop my own business.

06:00 – Wake up

I try to stick to this time, though it can be challenging without routine. Waking up early helps with my productivity and focus throughout the day.

06:05 – Hydrate and Morning Routine

I drink 250-500ml of water to wake up, followed by brushing my teeth, showering, skincare, etc.

07:00 – Breakfast

Greggs opens at 07:00, which is convenient. I aim for a roll with an omelette to keep it healthy, though I’m often tempted by a Lynx sausage roll.

• On office days: I usually get breakfast from Greggs around 08:50 when I arrive at the office.

08:00 – 09:00

• In Office – Travel: It takes about 40 minutes to get to the office. With AirPods on and music playing, the time goes quickly and gives me space to think.
• Remote/From Home: Between 08:00 and 08:30, I’ll either be outside or on my computer if there’s nothing urgent. From 08:30 to 09:00, I open my laptop and check Teams and my inbox in case anything urgent comes up. I start working properly at 09:00.

09:00 – Task Planning

I review flagged tasks or any new ones, then input them into my task planner spreadsheet to work on throughout the day.

09:00 – 10:00

Emails usually start coming in around this time, so I monitor both the DYW inbox and my own while addressing any outstanding tasks.

Throughout the day, I typically have meetings with my team to discuss project developments or provide updates on our work, ensuring we’re all aligned. These meetings are usually laid-back and enjoyable to attend.

10:00 – 17:00

My work tasks vary, but often include:

• Setting up meetings
• Emailing individuals or groups
• Ensuring date and program stability within our Work Aware Programme, including liaising with partners and employers to confirm visits and obtain site/day plan details
• Uploading data/activity into our CRM system/database
• Creating spreadsheets or PowerPoints

Additional Tasks: From creating logo quizzes for high school pupils to coordinating with over 100 people for professional events supporting our projects and programs, my responsibilities are diverse and keep the work interesting while helping me learn.

18:00 – 22:00 After Work

After work, depending on my plans for the day, I usually engage in one or more of the following activities:

• Going to the gym for an hour, following a weekly Push, Pull and Legs routine
• Running sessions with friends or simply going for a walk
• Having dinner, often sticking to chicken or salmon to maintain a healthy diet
• Relaxing at home, either watching Netflix or playing video games with friends on my PC

22:00 – Fall asleep

This is my preferred bedtime, though this varies depending on the day