Global Configuration Data Analyst Review

My current role is a Global Configuration Data Analyst apprentice and this involves data completeness and accuracy of the Unilever Configuration Management Database, holding data owners globally accountable and responsible for their data to ensure accuracy and high quality. I speak to a high number of people globally every day to make daily configuration tasks happen to provide back to the business.

Completed an Open University foundation degree alongside a BTEC Diploma Level 4, which has provided me with great skills to take into the workplace and also complete my qualifications with real life skills and experiences. I have also completed an industry led qualification which helps me understand the IT side of things and how it works.

I really enjoy my programme, the qualifications and experience I have gained whilst being at the company is invaluable, and my day-to-day job of being an apprentice and the role I do is really good. The team I work in is really nice and warming to me, encourages me to do my best and treats me like an employee. It is a really good company to work for, they value all employees and it's a generally nice environment to work in. However it was a big step when I first started, so I didn't take the pressure of a working environment well and team noticed this and it took me a while to build the relationship back up again after it was a bad one to start with, eventually I'd built my relationship back up again with the support of my team and employer.

I feel valued by Unilever, the appreciation not only from my line manager but also from my team is fantastic, especially when you realise what their expectations are and if you perform to the right level, but it's also about communication. If you communicate to them about what you're working on, how you're working on it, with who and they will start to trust you, which makes you feel valued as part of a team. Like I said in the previous comment, I didn't start out as well as I'd hoped so didn't feel valued at all - but as this improved over time, and I got into more tasks, this started to change. As you get more into the apprenticeship and start doing work to get your name out there, the more recognition you'll get and other teams will come to you more, and as they do that, the team will be happy for you to represent them.

My programme is really well structured, from the qualifications to the real life work. In the start, we got inducted for a couple of days and then got straight into it, which was great. Through the qualifications, we got well implemented plans of how to complete the foundation degree and the level 4 diploma, and this stuck all the way through. I got 1 study day a week to complete my studies which was ample enough time. All the support meetings from my actual employer were good and I got all the support i needed during some tough times, which was relieving and helped a lot. There are mentor support people in the company which help guide you through and answer any questions you have and provide you with learning platform to develop your skills.

So we have 2 training providers - Open University and GKS/PDS. From Open University, in terms of support we get almost nothing. Apart from the fact we get support during studies and help with any technical elements, we get no actual support, apart from a helpline. From GKS/PDS, we got a lot of support, not only with the theory and practical work, but also outside of that, and any support with helping us achieve better or someone to chat to. Hence why I am rating this just over the middle - PDS should get credit for it.

I receive a lot of support from my employer, with a lot of helpful sessions that are put in place for us to do well and to succeed, and my manager is helpful by having 1-1 meetings with me to discuss how I am feeling, what I am doing and if there is anything he can do to help. There is also the support from my actual employer including help/guidance with any issues we're facing and helping to rectify that with specific improvement plans or just a one on one chat. Get a chat once every 4 weeks which is more than enough to aire any concerns.

The salary for someone my age and the position we're in is excellent, not much better out there to be honest, and the area I live in (and the area the work in) is relatively cheap (however I live on my own - so costs will naturally be higher than a lot of other apprentices). I am in the distance of work so can walk every day but I choose my car, so travel costs aren't a problem, and make my own lunch so there isn't a lot of daily cost. Because I live on my own, costs are high and sometimes I have to cut back on certain things as my salary doesn't quite cover it.

There are various clubs and activities outside of work that you can get involved with, including a load of sports like running or football, and there are a few volunteering opportunities that come along with the apprenticeship, including going to visit schools and local colleges to guide students to look at apprenticeships as well as univerisity. There are a good amount of leisure centres and stuff to do when you're not in work and most in a good location of the workplace, about 15 mins max by car. I've not been too much of a social person but there has always been events do to, so I can't fault it.

Yes

Unilever is a great company to work for, has very good underlying values and more importantly treats every person the same, encouraging to undertake learning and education in order to develop your skills to help you prepare for your future. There is a lot of global activity so this will help your communication, personal and interpersonal skills and set you up for life. There is a great salary and great people in the company, and if I went back a couple of years, I would pick the same all over again. I have had my issues and problems whilst being here, but with the help and support of the people and teams around me, I have gotten over this to come out on top and improve for my future more than ever.

With interviews and assessment days, make sure that you're yourself. Don't pretend to be anyone else as the interviewers will recognise this and put you on a back foot. Try and keep as calm and collected as possible, and make sure that you understand that you might be put into any team if you're successful, be open minded about the potential role and you will enjoy it. If coming straight from school, you will need to mature and grow up quickly to adapt to the working environment and to be successful in it. Do not let this scare you because it is fantastic to be in the working environment, but take your time to adjust to new surroundings, everyone will understand that this could be your first job in the working world.