Data Analyst Review

Data Analyst for a Product Management team: finding patterns and trends in external and internal financial and market data in order to help business leaders make better product decisions. Day-to-day involves working under the direction of a workplace mentor and includes a mix of data research, analysis and presenting data to stakeholders.

Developed and learnt a wide range of skills both related to my apprenticeship specifically and more generic soft skills. In terms of formal education, the courses and exams that are delivered by the training provider are mostly relevant. Learning via being mentored in the workplace is particularly effective - data analysis and presentation skills particularly.

Being an IBM Apprentice means being part of a large community of fellow apprentices and other early professionals from across the UK and there is plenty of opportunities to meet them through event and communities. Most of the large facilities have excellent facilities such as gyms and modern meeting and break spaces. Most managers are very supportive of apprentice development.

The apprenticeship is very well structured - there is a 2.5 week residential induction covering intros to IBM values and basic business skills that gives you the chance to build a relationship with other new apprentices in the same boat. You are also assigned a dedicated Early Professional Manager who are there to support you in your apprenticeship as best as they can.

Great support from task managers and early professional managers, they recognise that as early professionals you do have different needs to an experienced employee and are supported appropriately. IBM also supports you in other ways including though qualified mental health first aiders etc. This is all highly accessible with guidance always available.

The training provider on the whole was good. The residential courses were very well executed with mostly relevant content that I was able to put to use in my daily role. There will be some parts that are less relevant but that is just down to how your specific company interprets the subject of your apprenticeship.

My data analysis knowledge and confidence had hugely grown since I started my apprenticeship. I came into it with very minimal knowledge in the field and the combination of formal education and learning from my workplace mentor has given me the confidence to be able to lead and execute my own data analysis projects.

There are plenty of extra curricular activities at IBM. The type of activities available varies between locations. As we have a indoor sports hall at my location, I was involved in an IBM 5-a-side football team. There are also formal organised social / networking events for apprentices as well as ad-hoc opportunities to meet other apprentices during and outside of work.

Yes

A great experience all round - I don't regret choosing to do an apprenticeship over university at all. I have met some very talented people, both apprentices and more experienced members of staff. Having no student debt is certainly a bonus and once my apprenticeship is completed I do not feel like I will be at a disadvantage to an incoming new graduate to IBM.

Make sure to do your research into IBM - demonstrating that you know a little bit about the company does a long way with the interviewer. There 8 'core competencies' that they will look for - Adaptability; Communication; Client Focus; Creative Problem Solving; Drive; Teamwork; Passion for IBM and Taking Ownership - be sure to have an example of where you can demonstrate each of these.