IT Apprentice Review

My roles changes every 8 months depending in which area I decide to move into, recently it has been a project management role on integrating a new solution for our scientists, so my day to day consisted of morning meeting updates and a brief run through things that have happen on the previous day and what were going to do next. A lot of the time in AZ we have Team building events and FIKA's to keep the teams morale up through out this year. Finally getting to work on my own project tasks.

Over the past year I have been working on a lot more projects and I think that my management skills along with stakeholder management skills have greatly improved, At Astrazeneca you are really pushed to make the most of every situation and so facing these projects head on really helped me improve these skills, much more than if I was just supporting the project manager. And its also the confidence that this experience then instils on you to improve and develop.

I really enjoy the apprenticeship ! i think this has been the best thing I have done and really couldn't recommend it enough. The experience it has given me so far has been second to non and most things i would have learnt from University alone. also the pay as enabled me to buy a house and really progress myself as a person as well as a professional. I really enjoy the work the people and the pride i have for astrazeneca.

The Structure of the program could be slightly improved, sometimes the work and Uni get out of sync so for example starting a new role and starting a new work based project for uni at the same time is difficult, but it think these things are easily improved and can be altered, which both AZ and MMU have started to look into. apart from that i think it works really well and the things i learn in uni can be directly translated into my work.

AstraZeneca supplies so much support around both work and Uni. The support network means there are so many people around you that can help, from Apprentice advisors, to previous apprentices that are willing to help you out. We also have department apprentice leads that speak directly to the uni monthly and out managers that talk and collaborate with other apprentice managers. i really think theres not much more they can do to help. I have also set up an apprentice "Safe Space" to help apprentices that want to talk to other apprentices.

I think there is less support from the uni behalf, however through out my 3 years studying there it has improved. I think they are beginning to collaborate more with the businesses and do actively take on students feedback which is great to see happening. i think that they could do more lower level support like issues with assignments and confusion that some pupils may have, as they usually just pass it off to a web page or another student.

The work i am doing in uni directly relates to the work im doing in work so somethings i have learnt i have taken straight into work and vis verse. there has even been cases where i have taught colleagues new things that i have learnt in Uni. I think having a combination of soft skills improving from work and hard skills learning from uni is a perfect combination and really helps to perform better.

Usually when the offices are open there are lots of extra curricular activities. The AZ sites have on site gyms and football pitches that can be used whenever. are lots of organised events (especially during the summer time). Lots of Clubs like running, biking, car clubs, knitting clubs etc etc. i have joined a lot of these and we have an apprentice football match some evenings where all apprentices join in a fast paced competition.

Yes

Personally i think it is an incredible place to work, there is so much going on you can never get bored, there is always something to do. And plenty of additional activities to get involved with. i am the co-chair for the apprenticeship committee and all other groups. I think it is a great place to gain experience as there are people you sit next to that have worked there for years and have a wealth of knowledge that you can learn from them.

Be yourself, i could stress this anymore. AZ want real people that love what they do and the rest you can learn on the job. AZ understand that this is most likely your first real job and so as long as you show passion for the company and for your job then the rest of the hard skills you can learn and develop during your apprenticeship. AZ also like people who abide by their values.