Data Science Degree Apprentice Review

My role predominantly involves helping my team create machine learning models to improve business process. Roughly half my time involves coding, bug-fixing and reviewing the code of my colleagues. Some of my time is spent engaging with my direct stakeholders to test new infrastructure capabilities and also identify their requirements with Data Science projects.

I believe that my course is well structured. The modules slowly build up an understanding of Data Science that can be directly applied to the workplace. The tutors are attentive and they are more than happy to support my learning.

The BBC has been greatly supportive throughout my apprenticeship. They help tailor my learning needs by finding opportunities to use work experiences to help support university tasks. They are also understanding of me needing more time during stressful university deadlines.

There are regular checks up from my business coach, who is an employee of the business provider and who's main role is to support me throughout the apprenticeship. They help provide direction on how I am progressing throughout the role. There are also wellbeing and support lines that can be reached. My main issue is with the admin team of the provider. They are very slow to respond to issues and their solution takes time to complete. For example, I have applied for an extension and have been told it takes 2 days to process, it has been two weeks. I've chased this with the provider but there has been no progress.

Though generally the training provider helps my general understanding of Data Science, I feel the work done in my role has been far my complex than the learning from my training provider. This might be due to it only being the first year and will most likely improve over time. The training provider has also taught me about different machine learning models that has improved my general understanding in my role.

Yes

The BBC is a wonderful organisation to work for. There are so many different opportunities to get involved with and the work role has been the most fulfilling job I've had. If you want to feel like you're helping the general public or a part of something better than the BBC is perfect.