Data Scientist Review

Data science involves everything from data pipeline, visualisation (graphs) to AI/Machine Learning. Due to the high technical skills required for the ML part and my role, largely consists of automating manual tasks using excel and database manual extracts to Tableau a much more suitable software to automatically clean and visualise the data.

Mainly how to interact with IT and how to use Tableau, more technical Machine Learning programs have been self taught and will be covered in uni in this year. The difference between the restriction in data are dramatic from pet projects and real projects meaning I have had to learn how to do row level security on Tableau.

I enjoy the heavily problem solving and analytics approach, i'd say I have a lot of responsibilities for an apprentice but this just helps me develop my skills at a much faster rate. The Business facing nature of the Digital department means I can gain an insight into all parts of the company and how they are currently using their data.

On the Bentley side it is well structure to teach me softer skills and those involved in my day to day role. University are yet to adapt to block release weeks as they fail to pack in enough lecture or release enough content, this leads to me having an easy week on a block release as I have not been set work and then having to work Saturdays to make up for the uni's poor timetabling

I've not needed much support so I have relatively little to comment on. We receive roughly half a day weekly to do Uni work as strangely Keele is designed to be block release but then set work and release content on a weekly basis upwards of 4-8 hours long.

I have not needed help from Keele so I cannot comment on this. I have heard of deadlines being moved due to conflicts or clashes with certain students which seems helpful. Lecturers are very good but the timetabling/setting of work has been very poor and increased the difficulty of the course.

My course if giving em highly specialised data science skills so this is an anomaly, there is usually only a few data scientists in a standard company and 0 with my employer currently, my skills will enable the data strategy my department have been implementing over 4/5 years and could radically change certain processes.

There is a gym on site that would be useful if I lived closer to work. There is also an apprentice social event however this s focused to people who live locally to site and most apprentices that I have met live 30 min+ drive away and hence have little to gain from going.

Yes

Excellent skills gained from a lot of responsibility, excellent pay for the role in a company that has provided around £500 in bonuses and 3 raises to first year apprentices within a year increasing my salary from £17000 to £22000 + after only one year which is the perfect combination of working hard but being well compensated.

Some departments prefer school leavers, research the role you are applying for and tailor it and if possible specify a department if a few are hiring the same apprentice type such as project management. If you know people inside the company you could ask for advice around how to tailor an application to a certain department and learn about that department more.