Data Analyst Review

I support my Digital Analytics team to complete projects. I have started off with small tasks to build my knowledge and am working towards bigger ones. I have a daily check-in with my manager where we discuss how I am getting on and if I need help with anything. I am doing this along side My apprenticeship which I work on during work hours.

I came from a career in childcare so most of my skills have been new. My team are very supportive and are happy to support me in my learning. I have also developed my team work skills to working in a more professional environment.

I am very much enjoying my programme and it has cemented that this is a career that I will get more fulfilment from.

From a work point of view this would be a 10 but I am currently doing a boot camp for my apprenticeship to get me up to a Scottish level 8 standard. There have been a few teething issues around time expectation and letting apprentices know about training in advance. QA have, however taken feedback on board and are working towards making this better.

My line manager is very supportive and is of the opinion that my apprenticeship comes first. She tailors my work around what I am learning so I can put what I have learnt into practice. In a broader sense, Natwest does not put any pressure on you as an apprentice and has put lots of support in place from different teams to make the apprenticeship as enjoyable as possible.

I have a weekly check in with QA where I can voice any concerns and ask questions. Out with that my tutor and course leader are quite good at getting back to emails. I have yet to properly start my Scottish level 8 so cannot give full stars as I am unsure if this will continue next month.

The main thing my qualification is giving me if the confidence to learn and ask questions. The nature of my industry is that there are so many resources that it is hard to train you in all. For example I received training in Power Bi which my organisation does not use. However the course was not pointless as most of the skills can be transferred to other applications and knowing what these programmes are capable of and where to find help when you get stuck is invaluable information. The qualification supports everything I do in my role to improve my base knowledge that then can be applied to other areas.

There is a fully dedicated early careers team that is made up of apprentices, graduates and interns. This team organises lots of different events and doesn't put any pressure on you to attend. There is also a team that is specifically for my cohort of Edinburgh based apprentices that arranges socials so we can check in with each other and see how we are getting on. Out with that the bank includes us in every social event they host. These are great networking opportunities.

Yes

They have done nothing but support me through out my journey so far. I have not at any point felt pressured or that I cannot ask questions. There are a multitude of people I can go to with any issues and the odd one or 2 I have had have been sorted quickly.

Be yourself. I did a full career change form being a nursery teacher to being a data analyst. During my interview they were looking for what my unique skills were and what new skills and insight I would bring to their team from my experience in other fields. There are so many transferrable skills and don't be afraid to talk about what you have done previously that you are proud of.