IT Apprentice Review

As an apprentice in astrazeneca you get to rotate every 8 months so the experience is different for everybody, however in my day to day role i am a business analyst and so i communicate a lot with the scientists to understand there problems and communicate that to the rest of IT to resolve, which will include writing up requirements documentation presenting the findings to the senior leadership team and lots of meetings to ensure that IT fully understand the issue

AstraZeneca has forced me to become better at communication, interacting with people all around the world means you have to be clear and concise with communicating. as well as that my time management skills have greatly improved as i have to balance the working time and university during the busy times this is still difficult but is something i can continue to improve on.

I love the programme, i am a vary hands on learner so taking things from the classroom lectures and putting that straight into practise in the office is the perfect way for me to learn and makes it easier for me to understand, add that to the office working environment and the fact i get paid good money i think it is amazing to be a part of.

On a whole the programme is very well structured it all makes sense and allows for the fact that the students have to juggle a job and degree. However there is some evidence that it is a relatively new course and so there is still some issues on the course providers behalf things like assignment structure and process etc, but these are minor on the scheme of things.

AstraZeneca is excellent for support, each apprentice gets a Buddy (an older apprentice that understands the process and has experience in what you are doing at university), a Mentor who is usually an experienced employee to help network in the company and help with any issues on the work side, but also help with assignments etc. and a line manager to mentor you through the current role in which you are in.

Naturally we have limited face to face time as we are only in 1 day a week and they have to teach an entire class, however in my experience the teaching staff have been easy to get in touch with and are willing to help you out with most issues, they are great support and very quick to help.

i think there has been a lot that i have learned in university the i have then taken back to the office and it has improved my work, the course is very relevant to office working and so its very easy to bring things over from university. an example being learning java script in university has helped to fix and issue and create a programme that is now being rolled out across the company.

Astra Zeneca are great at being inclusive, i make good use of the onsite gym and football matches on the football pitch onsite. as well as that we have a Christmas Ball every year to celebrate all the hard work and socialise in a more relaxed environment, as well as that as apprentices we have some events to help introduce the new intake into the company and get to know them on a more personal level.

Yes

AstraZeneca pride themselves on being a great place to work and it really is that, they look after the employees so well with the pay and other bonuses like healthcare. but also its a great environment, everybody is willing to help you out and are so friendly its impossible to feel left out or alone in the massive company. and finally the business is to save people lives which is something i am proud to be working towards.

Be yourself and be confident, Astra Zeneca look for individuals that will fit into the AZ Values and push themselves to do their best. they also want someone that isn't afraid to get stuck in and speak to new people learn more about what they do and get on with the job on hand.