Data Analyst Review

I have been placed in a team of data scientists which is relevant to my data analyst focus on my degree. I am currently doing some basic data engineering to introduce my self to the team and get a grip of the company and its processes. I am responsible for providing the data in an acceptable format such that the analysts can produce graphs for visual representations to a client. I have also produced slides to present to the client about the data analytics work we have been producing. As this is my first project and I am new to how a business works, my current day to day schedule consists of reporting to an experienced member of the team and seeing how it is best that I can aid the project.

My Excel skills are growing as dealing with big data is something I have never been able to experience in a school environment. Also the application of mathematic formulas on real world examples has been very useful in providing a link between education and work.

I find the work much more enjoyable than the university experience, not only because the work is less engaging but I also feel much more recognised at CGI than the university. Every member of CGI that I have communicated with has remembered our interaction regardless of how little or large the contact was, whereas the same could not be said for the university. Half of my lecturers would not know my name nor say hello walking past in a corridor, which affects my enjoyment of the long university Mondays. The social aspect of the university between other apprentices is the only upside of university so far.

My manager has been superb in making me feel valued so far, treating me as an actual human rather than an asset which is what I expected going into a big company. They are very understanding of my position as a student and the VP of our unit is pushing to have a junior on every project.

The introduction was very well organised. However there was a big downfall after as the university is very unstructured, and most CGI members are not even familiar with the program. I think my situation was an anomaly but the person who was meant to manage me had left days before I joined, throwing a lot of unorganised work in my direction.

The university is very poor for this. My mentor ignored my email for 8 weeks before replying for a quick 5 minute introduction. The uni lecturers are not very responsive and the formative assessments are given no feedback. This is something where bringing up a case with CGI often resolves the issue as the higher powers will complain and get it sorted.

There is lots of support available at CGI but it is in the members shoulders to seek for it which can be quite daunting at first. However once settling in, I am now in contact with a senior mentor and 2 members that have completed my course and are in the team.

I am extremely happy with my salary. Although I have not had to rent out accomodation as I still live at home, I have lots of disposable income and I am able to save for a house deposit which is a big issue in the current generation.

The SSC is a very good social club allowing for unlimited activities for £5 a month. So far I have been thorpe park, go karting and horse racing which has allowed communication with other CGI members and also a good time.

Yes

Comparing to the standard university course, being paid to go is a no-brainer in my opinion. Also being able to see both university and work lifestyles shows how education never lives up to real life experiences in my opinion.

Make the most of the support available, don't be afraid to ask. I think the course was presented as something it was not, as it was advertised to be extremely structured which is simple not true.