Business Analyst Review

by AstraZeneca

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

9.1/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

I work as a business analyst - this includes working on a global project at AstraZeneca supporting the various drug substance and drug product laboratories from an IT perspective. I am currently working on the global requirements for the scientists data capture systems and a data warehouse solution for the scientists to perform advanced analytics/queries etc.

9/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I've learnt a structured way to gather requirements. I've learnt key communication skills to help determine different concepts and understanding between IT departments, scientific staff and external vendors. I've developed a better understanding of how to interpret ways of working and present that back to various stakeholders.

9/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

We have a very good working culture at AstraZeneca - each employee is supported and encouraged to develop. I've been given various development opportunities to help better myself and the company. I would say AstraZeneca has exceeded my expectations - including supporting me to do a Masters Degree apprenticeship as well as an undergraduate scheme.

10/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

Very well organised and structured. The support from both university and work is essential to both support university/academic work and project work. Managers at AstraZeneca are very aware of workload and support the re-prioritisation of tasks when university deadlines are approaching.

9/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Lots of support. We have managers, mentors, university mentors who also join in a university review to get better visibility of what's going on. This is quite nice considering the masters degree can be quite far removed from the traditional undergraduate scheme.

9/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

Lots of support. The university put lectures and extra tutors in place to ensure we have 1:1 contact and it's very clear the additional support channels on top of this. Lecturers are very flexible in terms of attending lectures and balancing work and work calls. There is lots of mutual respect between students and university staff.

9/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

The qualification/course content has allowed me to better understand strategy development, which is a step up from my current job role. This allows me to input to conversation at work and provide a different perspective, even at a Business Analyst level. Moreover, the course and lecturers encourage students to network and get involved in class discussions which further helps with industry understanding.

9/10

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.)

Yes - we have a network that tries to engage people and organise social activities.

9/10

9a. Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

- great place to work - lots of development opportunities - Very good values and behaviours

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca?

Be yourself Do research on the company and understand the true values and behaviours Be curious - consider what makes you stand out - bring your 'true self' to the interview - this is really valued