Rating
- 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
- 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
- 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
- 4. How well organised/structured is your programme?
- 5. How much support do you receive from your employer?
- 6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
- 7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
- 8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
- 9a. Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?
- 9b. Why?
- 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca?
I am currently working as an executive assistant and support the Vice President and the Senior Director of Research and Development, as well as a team of scientists (around 120 people). I assist them with admin duties such as calendar management, booking meetings and events, travel, expenses and other office tasks.
Yes, calendar management, business skills, change management, managing stakeholders, personal assistant skills, IT skills and Microsoft packages such as: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, SharePoint and OneDrive. I have learnt about the organisation and BioPharmaceuticals, how AstraZeneca has been effected by global and national politics, what laws and regulations they need to meet and understanding job roles within science. I have also learnt a lot about health and safety.
It is a fantastic company to work for with plenty of opportunities. AstraZeneca encourage their staff to continue with their personal and professional development with plenty of training, courses, talks and conferences. They look after their staff and make it a great place to work. It is also really interesting, especially being on the business side, to have an opportunity to learn about so much science and how our drug pipeline is formed.
The programme is well structured. However it was slightly delayed due to a previous educational provider (3aaas) cancelling their programmes which has meant the process has been slightly slow on the educational side, meaning there is now a lot of catching up to do. I am hoping this will improve, but it has meant that I have has to give unexpected extra hours to my diploma work, which is difficult in such a demanding job.
My employer is very supportive, making sure I have plenty of opportunities, understanding my goals and abilities, encouraging me to get involved with all aspects of the business, and allowing time for me catch up with my diploma work. I have also received great reviews from my colleagues. My work has been recognised across the company and from this I have received more opportunities to learn about different departments.
I receive support, by there isn't a lot of teaching/learning, I am not sure if this is normal, but I mainly complete this on the job. I was expecting more workshops and training sessions, but it is very self-learning and we only meet up monthly to mainly complete paperwork.
I feel like I am able to do the role mainly through the excellent training from my employer, mentoring, shadowing and opportunities. I don't really learn anything through my training provider. As part of my diploma I need to learn about finance and budgets, which isn't really something I deal with in my day-to-day job, so I am eager to learn about this in the future.
Yes, plenty. Many professional networking events, one which I am now on the committee of, the Cambridge Admin Network, which runs events, learning sessions and networking for the admin members of AstraZeneca in Cambridge. Plenty of social activities with colleagues and other apprentices on site, dinners, drinks, bowling, escapes rooms etc. I am also part of an AZinspire network, a group set up by AstraZeneca aimed at young people within the company, offering networking, games, learning opportunities, career symposiums, training and trips.
Yes
Because it is a great place to work. They is so much to learn. The company has great values. It is a leading biopharmaceutical company and works in new innovative science. AstraZeneca prides itself on being a great place to work. There are plenty of amazing careers, mainly in science, but also in other areas of the business. There is a great group of apprentices and students at the company, so they are used to the learning format.
You need to work hard! It's a fast paced company that researches and develops life-changing medicines, there is a lot of laws and regulations that everyone must meet, you need to work hard and focus. But it is a really rewarding and hard work is recognised. It is also an encouraging and friendly place to work.
Details
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Business Operations
South East
March 2019