What were your expectations for this role during the first month?

For the Data Analyst Degree Apprenticeship, your initial role will focus on 'data preparation,' where you’ll be involved in creating various analyzers for the digital audit, utilizing client raw data and Alteryx. This phase of the apprenticeship is designed to ease you into the role, and it's understood that the cohort will have a range of background knowledge on accounting, analytics, coding, and other areas. As a result, there’s no pressure to perform at a high level in the first month. The emphasis during this time is on learning and adjusting to your new role, without the expectation of immediate mastery.

To support this, the first two weeks are spent in Newcastle, where the entire cohort comes together for training on a variety of essential tools and skills. During this period, you'll receive hands-on training in Alteryx, Excel, a foundational accounting 'crash course,' and a variety of key platforms that are used daily at EY. These first two weeks offer a unique opportunity to meet not only your fellow apprentices but also more senior members of the team, allowing you to start building connections and understanding the collaborative culture at EY.

During the first month, your role will involve cleansing data and delivering analyzers, this time is less about immediate performance and more about getting comfortable with your responsibilities. From the very start you will receive support for any questions, whether directly on how to create the end analyzer, or more general questions on how to settle in to EY. By the end of the first month, you'll feel more confident in your role, where to go for help, and have built a strong foundation for the rest of your apprenticeship.