Tell us a little about yourself and your work.

I’m a Test Analyst at Digital Health & Care Wales (DHCW). I’m currently working on the Welsh Immunisation System, which manages the administration of Covid-19 and flu vaccinations in Wales, so it is very rewarding work. More recently, I’ve been working on automating our tests, which has involved coding in my job for the first time. My favourite thing about testing is the feeling of leaving something in a better place than you found it, and that’s what motivates me when I log on each day.

How did you hear about and engage with the Degree Apprenticeship programme?

Someone in the online work staff room posted an advert for the Technocamps Microcredential courses, and I signed up for the Computational Thinking class. The course itself was interesting as I’d never studied logic before, but what really surprised me was how much I enjoyed being back in a learning environment. One evening on campus after a test, I was chatting to Olga and she told me about the degree programme. I asked for some more information and shared it with my manager, who was very encouraging as we talked through the idea of me studying for three years. DHCW is great at supporting employees who want to take up Degree Apprenticeship programmes – I quickly got told it would be fine for me to apply, and they’ve accommodated my study leave each week since.

How did you first get involved with computers and what inspired you to take this path?

I was always using computers and game consoles at home but I wasn’t remotely interested in it as a career. I did well at school, but maths and science weren’t my interests, and we didn’t study Computer Science. After graduating with a humanities degree in 2015, my first job was in testing but I then moved into a business role, which evolved into product management, as this was a more natural career progression for someone who did not come from a technical background. I loved my job, where I was responsible for a product roadmap; it was what made me realise I wanted to work in software projects long term, because I love being a part of making something useful. But over time I felt like something was missing. I had gained valuable business experience, but I was very aware of my technical skills gap. Was there a way for me to have both? I missed being in the detail of a User Story like I was as a tester, so I went back into testing.

How has the DA helped you in your job role?

The impact of the degree was immediate in my job from the first term. My coding skills accelerated, and my confidence grew rapidly – after a few months, I went from writing a few tests a week to finishing dozens in a sprint, because everything suddenly made sense. I also started looking at testing APIs properly for the first time around when I started the web services module. At the start of term, I was struggling; now, having set up my first API for coursework, I just understand what I’m navigating and am able to pick everything up so much faster. Further, I think my soft skills have also improved – I’m analysing requirements with a more logical approach than before, which I’m certain means I am catching some bugs sooner.

How do you think you will use the skills and knowledge you have gained in the future?

In the short term, I am concentrating on maintaining my automation testing development by studying more advanced programming concepts to make my tests as concise and efficient as possible. As for the future – who knows! I love working in the NHS and feel like I am already able to do my job better only halfway through the degree. What’s great is my original dilemma of wanting both business and technical knowledge is resolving. I know whatever I go on to do in future, I will be able to pick up bigger challenges thanks to everything I am learning, and it’s created many more career options for me to consider. I just want to keep making useful things.

You can find out more about our Degree Apprenticeship on our DA webpage.