Data Analyst Apprentice Review

I work for an internal Data Analytics Product team, the product being a "one-stop-shop" for all data relating to finance and sales. Our third party do the technical work eg the data engineering and design of the product and my team help maintain it. For example if the files that get ingested into the product are changed (less/ more columns, column or codes changing value) we evaluate the impact this will have on the front end (the product). Day to day I help maintain the product and have also built a few Power BI dashboards that are linked to this product.

I was very poor on Excel and had never used SQL or Power BI before and now I can navigate these apps and code confidently and know the strengths and also some limitation of them. I understand how to write and read the code and how to save the output of it. I have learnt how to work independently from home also and reach out for help when needed.

I enjoy the learning aspect with Multiverse, learning new skills (for example Python) alongside other apprentices and also the opportunities I get given from instead Unilever, for example the Data Science Challenge open to all Unilever employees. I am grateful for the support and the opportunity to work in data however as I applied for a data analyst apprenticeship I feel my job role aligns more with a product analyst. I don't do the usual job of a data analyst such as clean data and actually analyse it, to enjoy my apprenticeship more I would be doing this.

The learning from Multiverse is very structured, with bootcamps, hackathons or module sessions every month in time for exams, plus revision sessions. I never feel rushed with any of the learning. As the apprenticeship learning with Multiverse is 14 months long roughly and my work contract is 24 months, I feel it is well structured and there is flexibility if the apprenticeship does run over.

I have three calls a week with my line manager where I am free to ask any questions I might have. This is a lot of support. Initially though I did not have this support and with it being my first job and any being able to work from home I struggled quite a bit. My apprenticeship does not fully line up with the requirements I need to showcase in order to pass my apprenticeship, and getting support on this from HR was quite difficult and not very helpful. They took a while to respond and didn't try and find a way to help me (if I don't find tasks to do that align with my apprenticeship- I will fail it).

Plenty. They run monthly sessions with 5 half day bootcamps teaching technical skills a data analyst needs, for example Python (intro and also Pandas), SQL, Excel, Tableau and soon some stats. As well as this the teach the modules for the two exams. These are well spaced out so there is no stress around completing work and apprenticeship learning. The Multiverse coach is also very helpful and quick to respond to all enquires. Multiverse have a lot they offer too, such as a community where all apprentices can come together to learn and mentorship programmes.

I feel that the qualification helps me revise and understand the fundamentals of what I do in my role by giving data analysis a broad overview that fits different companies. By understanding the wider picture, I can understand how this I relevant to my own role and company. As part of the qualification I have to write a portfolio and this helps summarise my key job tasks and understand them better which (hopefully) leads me to be better at them.

I have always been working from home but Unilever offer a range of different things: 1. As an apprentice I am in an apprentice team which helps onboard level 4 apprentices and I have led a couple of Q&A's with prospective applicants giving on overview of what being a Data Analyst within Unilever is like. 2. Data Science Challenge open to all Unilever employees globally. 3. Future Leaders Challenge for interns/apprentices/grads to come up with a marketing idea for Magnum 4. Walking challenge every month for interns/apprentices/grads

Yes

Unilever have a positive working culture that encourages personal development. They offer free, unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning, Udemy and Degreed (tailored on learning for Unilever jobs/ways of work). I don't think many other companies have this mindset to help upskill their employees this way. Also, there is high accountability from the CEO. There is a "YourCall" every fortnight the Ceo has a live call and all workers are free to ask questions on a page and the CEO will have chance to answer as many as he can. He does not shy away from hard questions, for example from Unilever ads that have been thought to be racist (only last year) and about Unilever redundancies and salary freezes.

Make sure you are driven and have a love for learning. If you have a love for learning you can make the most of the free online courses Unilever offer. Also, be positive and happy to help others, and show your purpose and what drives you as a person in your interview. They want to know what drives you and what change you want to make in the world.