Graduate Business Analyst Review

My primary role was supporting the development of a digital product and supporting operational work for the division. Day to day, this would include gathering and passing on requirements to a development team, assessing progress and working with the design team. I would support with month end reporting and help support the senior leadership team with various tasks.

I have taken and passed my Project Management Qualification with the support of the business (who provided training and paid for the exam). I also have been undertaking a data analysis apprenticeship. The organisation also provide graduate training which focuses on soft skills, such as communicating, networking and presenting. The role has helped me develop my management and digital skills.

I have really enjoyed the programme. It has helped to develop my knowledge, skills and behaviours relating to data, allowing me to transition job role. Going through the programme as a cohort increased my enjoyment as I got to know the others on the course. The events organised on the programme also brought the course to life.

The initial training and support was comprehensive, making the start of the programme smooth and unintimidating. The tutors are very supportive and clearly explain expectations. There has been some confusion around the end point assessment, but I believe that was more down to changes that were being made by the assessors.

My employer has ensured I got the time required to do the coursework on the programme and have helped to find various projects and tasks that I could undertake to assist with what I was learning. Other employees were undertaking the programme so that helped to build a natural support network.

They have helped to establish what is required to pass the qualification assessment and have helped to prepare me by setting up a dummy presentation and submission, providing ongoing feedback and helping me to set targets and stick to them over the course of the programme. They ensured they were always available to support.

It has helped me to become far more efficient in the work that I do, provided me with knowledge to help advise on areas that I would have been unable to before, and ultimately has allowed me to move into a new area of the business. The qualification would help anyone to think differently and work better.

Extra-curricular work was lacking upon joining the company, though that was primarily due to the pandemic. This has slowly improved with some events being held and people coming back into the office, however it is still below the level that I would hope it would be. Further financial support for socials and sports would be appreciated.

Yes

They are excellent at providing training and development opportunities, helping to support young professionals with qualifications and chartership. The organisation has a friendly and supportive atmosphere - everyone is very approachable and keen to help. The organisation do interesting and varied work, and there are opportunities to move across the organisation and find areas of interest.

Ensure that you understand and are aligned to the values of the organisation. Look into the type of work being carried out by the organisation and see if that interests you. Think about how you want to develop professionally and if that aligns with the opportunities and support that the organisation will provide.