Data Analyst Review

It involved working with the systems that contained all of the information about students, what courses they're studying and what courses people are applying for. It also included creating reports for example one based on registers to see where students were or weren't attending, and analysing those reports to find trends.

I have developed on my organisation and time keeping skills. As well as this, I've learnt how to work best in an office environment, including how to develop office relationships with other colleagues. I also learnt lots more technical skills such as SQL as well as feeling more confident in writing professional sounding emails and reports.

I definitely enjoyed the experience however the company wasn't great. They are very focused on results and on customer service and so there was a strict dress code (despite the fact it was not a customer facing role) and there was lots of pressure from the higher ups to complete work quickly.

The structure of the programme was good. I first of all did a HNC in Computing and Systems Development in my first year and then I continued on to the HND in the same subject. Alongside this I studied a Level 4 NVQ. I completed it in approximately 20 months.

I received a good amount of support from my immediate colleagues for example my manager/s and the other people in my team. However I still find that not too many people understand my role and therefore did not put much effort into helping me if they were from another team or higher up.

The training provider happened to also be the college, however it was a different department. Overall they were fantastic, very supportive and consistent with feedback on my NVQ as well as my HNC/D. The quality of teaching was great as was the pastoral support I received. Much better than my employer.

It definitely helps me to an extent - I actually have the opportunity to continue the qualification to get a degree starting this September which will support me even more as it will develop upon the skills I learnt both in work and in training in previous years. I think it has been quite helpful.

Not particularly. The only social activities they have at work are all-staff meetings, which is usually to tell us how bad or good we have been or we sometimes have staff conferences, which is usually just to give us extra training (usually unnecessary!). There is nothing fun that they really offer.

No

Personally I think it is a rubbish place to work. I have been here almost 3 years now and I still feel like no one really understands what role I have even though it is quite important. There is no recognition for those who are the most hardworking. Only the higher ups get celebrated for their achievements.

As long as you are presentable, smart and somewhat outgoing they are likely to take you on. If you study with Bedford College you'll certainly do well, however working there isn't the best and most would agree with me. There are definitely some departments that are nicer to work for than others!