SOC Engineer Review
at AstraZeneca
Degree Apprenticeship
Cyber Security
Macclesfield
Review Submitted: May 2024
Overall Rating
3.9 /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!
3.5/5
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
3.4/5
-
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
Working for the SOC team, I spend some days On Point. This involves monitoring and investigating alerts in real time. This is a 24/7 team. Alongside this my day consists of training and projects to make the team more efficient.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
Coming towards the end of my third year, I am relatively independent and comfortable with my role. The programme itself is well understood by our employer and this ensures we get our dedicated time for university. Alongside this, teams are very supportive and understanding when we need extra time for univeristy etc.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
In this role I have learnt many new skills and gained more knowledge on how the cyber security teams operate with each other. We are encouraged to do training weekly to increase our knowledge on a number of different topics to assist us in our roles.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The programme has been around for multiple years and the basic structure is well organised. When it comes to rolling off the programme this has been something that has been changed multiple times so this can sometimes be a concern for cohorts that are in their final year and ready to roll off the programme.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Having managers and mentors that understand the apprenticeship process is beneficial as they are supportive and understanding of our roles and the responsibility of university. We are given support and at times extra days to focus on university when required. We also are given buddys in the year above as they have been through the same process as us and can support us that way.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
As the provided learning is done online, is it very different when receiving support in comparison to university in person. Lecturers are easy to contact via email and we have reviews with our success managers to ensure things are up to date and to see if we require additional support.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Some topics align well with our roles and most assignments are based on our workplace. Although not all modules will be relevant to our role, in our final year the pathway we choose is based on our consolidation role so almost all modules are relevant.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
We have the opportunity as apprentices for weekly coffee afternoons to catch up, socials and volunteering days to get to know our teams or other apprentices better.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?
Yes
Why?
As a place to work, AstraZeneca is diverse and collaborative. The apprenticeship scheme especially is well laid out to ensure young people have the opportunity to try different roles and see what they enjoy doing.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca?
AstraZeneca's core values are seen throughout the company, it is important to see if you align to those values and how your role could make a difference.
