Monika Wojdasova is one of the first students to complete the Data User Level 3 Apprenticeship with Kaplan. We found out how it has helped to make a change in her career and develop skills that are in high demand in the current job market.
What made you want to study the Data User apprenticeship?
So, I initially worked in hospitality following my hospitality and tourism degree. But when COVID hit, I had to think about what I wanted to do next with the sector paralysed. I was tired of being a salesperson, I was tired of meeting clients and, you know, trying to make sales and take their money.
I realised I really enjoyed the part of the job where I sat behind a computer and created a spreadsheet or calculation. I started to ask the revenue manager, who was creating big data spreadsheets, questions about revenue and budgets and he showed me what he was doing. I loved that part of the job and wanted to learn more.
I decided to figure out what I could do in that area and found the position for an Apprentice Data Technician. I thought it's a new career, but not completely different from what I was doing. So I applied.
That was the best decision in my life.
How did you find studying with Kaplan?
I have to praise Nigel, who was my tutor, he was so helpful and very nice. I learned so much during our sessions and the best part about my apprenticeship is that I could use what I had learnt straightaway in my workplace. This helped me to remember it as you can apply it to real-life situations, I could see that it was actually working and saving my time. The study materials provided were also so useful.
When I started the apprenticeship I thought I was already very knowledgeable about Microsoft Excel. However, I now realise how inexperienced I was.
I would say that this apprenticeship has helped me to spread my wings.
Often tech sectors can be male-dominated. Have you found that to be the case?
I was working in Harris Federation, and they have around 50 academies. I was regularly in contact with the data managers and technicians from the other academies so I could see that it's quite balanced with women and men in the field.
It has been nice to see lots of women in the same position as male colleagues, I would say in data it's quite nicely balanced.
Now you've completed your apprenticeship, what has that meant for your career?
I must say that even before I finished the apprenticeship, I was already getting job offers from different companies. That has never happened to me before, so that was a really good feeling.
I was thinking, ‘wow, you offered me a job and you don't even know me.’
There's so much potential for Data Analysts and Technicians in the field now. It has given me comfort and stability. I'm not afraid of not getting a job at all because the demand is so huge, and it gives me the option to find a job that suits me.
As I mentioned, it was the best decision of my life. If you are good in the field, and you are willing to keep learning, then you are set for life. I will continue to learn every day because I can grow my knowledge in so many areas such as Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and SQL.
My next steps will be to move on to become a Data Manager or Junior Data Analyst.
Would you recommend an apprenticeship as a form of study?
I would definitely say yes. The biggest benefit of an apprenticeship is that you work and gain experience at the same time as earning your certificates. It's great because if you study without work experience, it can be difficult to get a job as most companies want at least two years of work experience.
An apprenticeship is an amazing opportunity if you want to change fields or progress to a different area in your career. So, I’d recommend it to anyone interested in learning more and finding new career opportunities.
Is there anything else you think people looking to study a data apprenticeship with Kaplan should know?
It’s a very good decision. Just study hard and try to apply your newfound knowledge to your workplace.
Every day is different so your job doesn’t become monotonous. However, because it can be so different, make sure you keep track of everything you do: Take screenshots and write down the processes, as that's going to help you when it comes to writing up your projects.
Also during the apprenticeship, Kaplan offers support for you to take the extra certifications like the Microsoft Office Specialist certification. That was amazing, and I would highly recommend taking those opportunities as it will help you in your career to have the extra knowledge, and studying with Kaplan makes it much easier than if you are to do it on your own.
Find out more
If Monika’s story has inspired you, or you think that your business could benefit from an apprentice check out our Data and Technology Apprenticeship pages.