Senior Solution Architect Review
at AstraZeneca
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Science
Luton, Bedfordshire
Review Submitted: May 2022
Overall Rating
4.1 /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!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
3.8/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
my role is to design software solutions using leading ERP software. I have to engage with various stakeholders for projects from end users up to and including board level senior management.
I gather the user requirements and translate these into solutions. I work with the technical delivery team to ensure the solutions I have designed are understood and delivered correctly.
I gather the user requirements and translate these into solutions. I work with the technical delivery team to ensure the solutions I have designed are understood and delivered correctly.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
The program started slowly but has quickly progressed to be an interesting and engaging programme. I am enjoying the experience very much and would highly recommend it to other people in my organisation.
It does take commitment from both myself and my manager as there is an expected on the job time commitment.
It does take commitment from both myself and my manager as there is an expected on the job time commitment.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
yes. I have learnt new skills with coding using industry standard programs, for example Python. I have learn about how to deliver reports and target these at specific user groups. This ensures that the reports are useable by the various target audiences and are also meaningful. I have moved on from presenting a set of excel spreadsheets to presenting tailored dashboards.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programme is well organised and structured. It assumes you have zero knowledge on the topic and guides you / teaches you from there. The topics build up on each other to ensure that you are not going into a topic with out the required pre-knowledge. The course is made up of a combination of self study, online workshops and assignments to embed the skills learnt
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Lots, my employer has committed to one day a week to be used for this course. They also try to ensure that I have opportunities to apply the knowledge gained on the course. As well as this they have set up a forum where we can engage with the various cohorts to ensure we get the most out of the course
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
The training provider uses a online portal to both set course work as well as being the main conduit into there support base.
They provide extensive training material as well as regular feedback sessions. They provide a mentor who we can contact with questions on the course and assignments. They also provide detailed feedback on assignments.
They provide extensive training material as well as regular feedback sessions. They provide a mentor who we can contact with questions on the course and assignments. They also provide detailed feedback on assignments.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Currently the course has only just started, but so far the course already given me some new skills around data analysis. I have been able to use these skills to speed up some of my data cleanse work, which as allowed me to concentrate on the actual story telling side of my role.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
2/5
Yes, AZ offers many extra-curricular activities. It has a social club as well as a gym that you can use when you join the AZClub. AZ also has social pages on the intranet allowing people to share their proposed out of work 'socials', for example a walking group or even a cooking club!
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?
Yes
Why?
it is a great place to work. There are opportunities to learn new skills and challenge the way things are done. You will be made to feel part of a team even if you are not in the same location. AZ is also an equal opportunity employer. AZ also provides a comprehensive reward package.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca?
By honest. You don't have to be a scientist to join AZ. We need many different skill sets to make AZ successful. However, learn about when we do as an organisation so you can ask and answer high level questions about us. We have become more of a household name thanks to Covid, but we do so much more than this one thing.
