Data Scientist Review
at Unilever
Degree Apprenticeship
Data Analysis
Port Sunlight
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
3.6 /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
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
3.6/5
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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:
3/5
Role greatly depends on placement allocation. In Business Operations, placement rotations currently happen every year. In my current placement, my work involves process optimisation, business analytics and stakeholder management.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
The programme currently feels a lot less technical than I expected, and doesn't quite feel like Data Science, but this is completely down to my placement allocation into an engagement-focused team. There are still opportunities to do technical work, but I have had to search for them myself.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I have learned how to use PowerBI and developed my Python skills. My manager is very supportive of my desire to learn, but I have had to stress my desire to build new skills in order to be provided an opportunity to do so.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme is structured well.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
My manager is very supportive and I feel comfortable discussing any concerns I have with him.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
The training provider is ok. This is my first time doing a course with online lectures and I think I prefer in-person learning, but this is just a personal preference. No major concerns or issues. Some of the lectures can feel rushed because we have limited time each week.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
At the moment, there isn't much link between the two, as my role in work isn't very technical. I expect this to improve once I start working on a more technical 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.)
4/5
There are plenty of activities, but I haven't participated in any.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Unilever to a friend?
No
Why?
For a Data Science career, I think Unilever may be a good option, but only if you are working in the R&D department. It would be a lot easier to develop technical skills in R&D. Business Operations feels like a regular corporate job.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Unilever?
For a Data Science apprenticeship, you should aim to be placed in R&D so that you have more opportunities to develop technical skills that will enable you to land a full time Data Science role after completing the scheme.
