Click below to hear about Rosie’s experiences of apprentice life and why she chose an apprenticeship at AstraZeneca.
Rosie talks about studying for a BSc (Hons) in Digital and Technology Solutions.
My name is Steph and I am a third year IT degree apprentice at AstraZeneca, studying for my BSc in Digital and Technology Solutions at Manchester Metropolitan University.
As an IT apprentice, AstraZeneca offer a number of 8 month job rotations during the 4 years to allow us to gain exposure to different areas of IT and experience different job roles. I am currently on my fourth rotation, as a Data Analyst, within in UK Operations Supply Chain and Sourcing. My previous rotations have been in Technology Innovation as an Innovation Developer, Operations IT as a Business Analyst and End User Services as a Service Improvement Analyst.
Why did I choose to do an apprenticeship and not go to university?
When I was doing my A Levels, university was all anybody talked about. Have you done your personal statement yet? Which universities have you applied for? What course are you doing?
I felt applying to university was very overwhelming but applied as I felt pressured to do so. Apprenticeships were not often talked about during Sixth Form so university seemed, at the time, to be the only option.
I began looking at what apprenticeships were available because I knew deep down I didn’t want to move away to university. When I found the apprenticeship offered by AstraZeneca it got me very excited about the opportunity. It would offer me 4 years work experience as well as a degree. I applied, which led to being invited to an assessment day. A few days later I received a call offering me a place on the degree apprenticeship program.
How do I manage working and studying at the same time?
I quickly found the balance between work and university study. After the first term of university, I found what style I like to learn in. As I am working 4 days a week and study the other 1 day, it motivates me to be organised with my studying. Lists have become my best friend and starting my assignments as soon as I can is a must as I like to gather peer review feedback on my assignments too.
What is it like working at AstraZeneca?
Doing my degree apprenticeship at AstraZeneca has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Looking back, I don’t feel like I have missed out on the “university life”. I have an amazing mentor and a fantastic buddy, who are always willing to help and support me. The opportunities I have been given are indescribable and I feel my colleagues at AstraZeneca really believe in me and my ability to do my job whilst studying!
