Noel McGarrel, Data Strategist - Media and Marketing Data

'I've always wondered about doing a Master's, taking time out of work isn't really an option, and part-time study without your employer's support doesn't sound attractive either. Although the apprenticeship isn't a full Master's, it at least covers part of the programme and, most importantly, is supported by my employer. I wanted to broaden my career opportunities, and this apprenticeship provides the space to do that along with a qualification to prove it.

The ethics module definitely had the most impact on me. For the assignment, I chose a challenging topic and what was interesting about the project was that I had to place myself in the shoes of people making the difficult decisions. It was super interesting, and I had a newfound appreciation of the challenges faced by senior leaders in organisations, where I think challenges around ethics only become more pronounced the further you move up in your career.

My advice to people considering this programme is that it's essential to have the support of your line manager and wider team; go into it with an open mind, and be sure that what you're learning can be directly applied to your work. That way, I've found that it doesn't feel like an added burden but part of my work that will lead to getting another qualification.'