Apprentice Review
at AstraZeneca
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Cambridge
Review Submitted: February 2021
Overall Rating
4.4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
The role includes handing a vast range of actives. This is due to every apprentice having a wide variety to choose from. My job at the moment was myself creating and advancing technology. I got a better understanding of the technology market while improving my interpersonal skills.
Due to the fact that i self-taught myself coding I was allowed to develop applications for the business. They trust you to do the job.
Due to the fact that i self-taught myself coding I was allowed to develop applications for the business. They trust you to do the job.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoyed the experience a lot. The people are friendly with each apprentice being another dimension with their own skills and weaknesses. The culture is about creating a postive change for the patients as we have a value " patients first". This means that you feel like you are making a difference and working for a good company. The company goes beyond normal to create a supportive relationship.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
A Large range. If i don't know something they are very supportive in helping me build that skill. The IT department is focused on "life learning" meaning they preach educating yourself to keep your skills up to date. In my experience that meant that I could get people to illuminate key information that enabled me to do my job better. A classic example is my presentation skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The program is well structured. You do a mixture of rotations to get a feel for the company rather than just one area. This means that your skills coming out the apprenticeship is varied.
There is also regular catch-ups with people to keep you on track. Overall this is a great system filled with many opportunities.
There is also regular catch-ups with people to keep you on track. Overall this is a great system filled with many opportunities.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
The company offers three direct contacts:
- Buddy ( a person in the above years of the programme)
- Mentor ( A senior member of Astrazeneca)
- Line manger (your boss or sometimes the person in your team)
These all come together to support you with regular meetings to help you. They are very supportive but it's entirely dependent on the person. I know a few who's mentors have been quite bad at keeping in touch.
- Buddy ( a person in the above years of the programme)
- Mentor ( A senior member of Astrazeneca)
- Line manger (your boss or sometimes the person in your team)
These all come together to support you with regular meetings to help you. They are very supportive but it's entirely dependent on the person. I know a few who's mentors have been quite bad at keeping in touch.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
As with every university it's do it yourself. There is even less support then sixth-form. That can be supplemented as you also get support from your employees. This creates a support system which works in conjecture with the one for university.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
So far I am being taught stuff I already know. In the future i hope to learn more about programming. The other module is fun and I like it. I can already see pratical examples of where the module relates to.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There are a ton but it's all up to you. Take the opportunities and they are endless. If you don not take them. The world will move on without you.
The groups that work for apprentices tend to be ones focusing on early talent. I believe that you will get plenty of opportunities.
The groups that work for apprentices tend to be ones focusing on early talent. I believe that you will get plenty of opportunities.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?
Yes
Why?
They seem to be a good company to work with. The people are nice to work together and the overall goal of the company alines with a good ideal. The company strives for further peoples lives rather than selling people's lives.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca?
Group activities are a good place to start. That would be really interesting to hear as in the real world projects are not done by one person but a team.
It would be also incredible good to read up on the values and history before interview or applying. What is AZ and why do they do what they do?
These questions will allow you to make tailored responses. Everyone wants someone who goes the extra mile.
It would be also incredible good to read up on the values and history before interview or applying. What is AZ and why do they do what they do?
These questions will allow you to make tailored responses. Everyone wants someone who goes the extra mile.
