Data Science Degree Apprentice Review

Developing skills and putting them into practice in providing insights in our commercial performance of our products in various therapy areas. In addition to collaborating with colleagues to develop knowledge in the field of Data Science as well

I have developed my python skills as well as refreshed my knowledge and skills on SQL programming languages, as they are the two main programming languages used. I have also learned project based skills such as managing stakeholders and presentation skills when presenting insights to data science colleagues and wider team colleagues.

From a GSK point of view, I enjoy it considerably, as each day I build on my knowledge of the company and the therapy areas we operate in as well as the skills needed to complete the work of a data scientist. In addition to this, working with different people in the team and learning from them as well, is good for my development

From a GSK and University point of view, the apprenticeship is well structured. at university starting a new module every 6 weeks with semester breaks - the university has tendencies to react slowly to problems on canvas (virtual learning environment) with regards to the content. at work the focus of the first few months is getting a ground level knowledge on the therapy areas and datasets we use and then building on that by shadowing and supporting on projects to learn from other data science colleagues before taking projects of my own and then learning from those as to what went well and what could be improved

i receive a lot of support if and when I need it, the team is open for answering questions, and with a team of a lead data scientist, plus 2 full data scientists plus a further 3 apprentices other than me, as well as a lead and an associate data engineer, there is always someone to speak to if there is any support needed

module leaders are available via email or via the two seminars to help with any questions

I've learned more from my on the job work than I have from degree studies because there has been content studied later in my first year that I learned in the first couple of months on the job. in addition, there was a 2 week bootcamp at the end of the year that was essentially a recap of the first year of studies and wasn't productive in terms of developing my data science skills

As far as I am aware there aren't any social activities I am aware of, but at conferences for UK commercial and company wide conferences on data, there is the option for networking which is really helpful

Yes

The employer has been helpful in developing my skills and working for a company that makes a difference to patients is something to take pride in

Other than stated requirements prior to applying, apprenticeships build your data science skills up as a whole. from a general point of view, the interviewing and hiring staff I had interactions with at every stage of the process were super helpful and made the process easier