Associate Business Analyst Review

My current job title is Associate Business Analyst working within Science and Enabling Units IT in the Clinical Studies Visualisation space. The project I am currently involved in is the development of an internally built application that visualises clinical studies data to make analysis easier for physicians, BAs, Information statisticians etc. My daily tasks at the moment include producing user documentation for the application, interacting with users to get feedback on the application, producing communications so users can get the most out of the application and giving demo's on the application.

I am currently studying for a full Honours degree in Digital and Technology solutions and therefore have learnt a lot of new skills such as programming, web development and data visualisation. I have also developed my presentation skills, communication, confidence and organisation. Within my role at AZ I have developed organisation, project management skills and smaller things such as Word and Excel.

I really enjoy the team I work with, although they are based in Cambridge I have daily interaction and get to travel there a lot. The work environment is so supportive and I enjoy being part of the apprentice cohort at AZ. The programme so far has exceeded my expectations. I have been responsible for some important things within my team, always supported in uni and work and am able to take part in some great things alongside the programme, e.g. charity work.

I feel very valued at AZ. I am regularly asked to represent AZ at external events, I constantly get appreciation emails from my task and line manager and the external recognition at uni is great. I also receive lots of feedback on the things I can improve at AZ, I think this also shows my value as I am being pushed to get the best out of me. Again, as I have lots of responsibilites at work, this also shows how I am valued

The induction was very useful and gave me a good insight into life as AZ, I was then introduced to my team and was able to take a couple of days to familiarise myself with how things worked around the site. Alongside uni I am able to take part in regular training whether that is a full day or 30 mins online I am always encouraged. The support I get for uni and work is great, I don't think I would have been able to complete the course without the support I have received. Our program is very structured with 6 month rotations around IT functions to let us find our best fit.

Any time I have needed more support from uni I have been able to access tutors or mentors easily. You have to appreciate they have full time students as well but normally if I have sent an email I will get a reply the same day or day after. Last year, our programming tutor put on extra weekend sessions for us when it came close to the deadline in an effort to get us all up to scratch which was great.

The support I receive from AZ is fabulous. I have regular uni reviews with my mentor where we will go through anything I am struggling with or even just so she can get an insight into what I am covering at uni. I also have meetings with various people across AZ when I am given a new assignment, people are more than happy to help and are often interested in reading the final assignment. Previously when there has been issues with some modules, my manager and mentor have put time aside to go through what I am struggling with, how they can help and followups too.

The salary is very good for an apprentice wage. I have been able to move out of my parents' house, get a car and fund socials regularly. AZ pay for our transport to uni so we do not even need to worry about that.

I have been involved in so many events since starting at AZ. I have done a skydive, the crystal maze and many more from a social aspect and numerous careers fairs and external events promoting AZ. Our managers feel very strongly that it is important that we take time to promote the great scheme we are on and as long as we make up the time are more than happy for us to take time from the work day if we need to as well as evenings.

Yes

AZ has such a supportive and friendly feel about it. Everyone is interested in what the apprentices are working on and whether or not they would fit within their team. I also think being able to rotate around different functions of IT until we find our permanent fit is so valuable and it allows us to expand our network and pushes us to be the best we can.

Assessment days are nothing to be scared of, you forget you are being assessed because everyone is so friendly. Ask lots of people to read over your application to make sure it reads well and there is no spelling or punctation errors as that doesn't look good. Always ask as many questions as you can becuase your question might be something that hadn't been thought of and could be really valuable!