GA Journeys: Rob Glover (abrdn)
Rob Glover is a third year Graduate Apprentice on our Data Science programme. Rob works as a senior marketing data analyst in the Digital Marketing Enablement Team at abrdn.
Edinburgh-based abrdn is a global investment company, employing circa 5,000 people around the world, whose aim is to helps customers plan, save and invest for the future.
When Rob left school he entered the world of work, keen to start earning money. As his career progressed, Rob noticed that not having a degree could potentially restrict future career opportunities.
Rob started the application process for his Graduate Apprenticeship shortly after returning from paternity leave. Having a child made him reflect on his career path and look for opportunities for future growth.
In this blog, Rob shares how his Graduate Apprenticeship has given him a second chance to gain a degree in a field he finds fascinating, and which has helped him progress his career already.
How did you hear about the Graduate Apprenticeship?
I was working as a Sales and Performance Analyst, supporting leadership and the sales team with business updates and analysis. I first heard about the GA through an article on my company's intranet titled ‘Interested in a Data Science degree?’. I had always been fascinated by data and how it can be used for insights, so I signed up for a webinar being run by Heriot-Watt.
During the session, the course leader and students from later years shared their experiences. I was really interested! The idea of earning a degree while continuing to work, and applying my learning in real time, seemed like an incredible opportunity.
Can you tell us a bit about your current role?
Towards the end of my second year at Uni I was successful in applying for the senior analyst role that I’m currently in. My role involves delivering in-depth client insights, developing advanced analytics for marketing activities, and building comprehensive dashboards for efficient decision-making. With proficiency in tools like PowerBI, SQL, Python and Google Analytics, I use my expertise to support marketing strategies and business objectives across the organisation.
How you have coped with the challenges of balancing working whilst studying towards a degree?
When I started this degree, my son Jacob was one year old. Having a child shifts your priorities, and I was determined to create the best future for my family.
Balancing full-time work, studying, and parenting has been challenging. My university tutor and the staff have been incredibly supportive, encouraging a healthy work/study/life balance. My workplace has also been flexible, allowing me to apply my studies directly to my role.
That said, I do sometimes find myself working on assignments in the evenings or weekends when my son is asleep or out with my wife. Time management has been a major learning curve, and every year, I promise myself I’ll start assignments earlier and be more disciplined!
Can you outline what support your employer and the Uni has given you in your GA journey?
Any time I talk to anyone about the support provided to me I sing the praises of the Heriot-Watt Maths Gym and in particular Emma Coutts. I don’t think I would have survived the first two years of my study without her support. Emma set up regular additional study sessions for me and a small group of people from the Data Science course.
I have been very lucky with my workplace mentors who have been incredibly supportive of my studies and helpful in ensuring I have tasks where I can include or implement what I am learning at Uni.
abrdn has a great Head of Learning, Peter Yarrow, who genuinely cares about the development of all staff and has been incredibly supportive.
What is one of your proudest achievements to date?
One of my proudest moments was being accepted onto this course. I was motivated by my son, wanting to show him the value of education. I also reminded myself that in four years, I would turn 40, no matter what. But by taking this course, I could be 40 with a degree and new career opportunities ahead of me.
Each year, I feel proud when I see my results and reflect on how much I’ve learned. Completing each assignment and semester gives me the confidence to continue my studies!
Has your Graduate Apprenticeship opened up opportunities for you?
As I mentioned above, I successfully applied for a more senior position. I don’t think I would have had any chance in moving to this role without the knowledge of SQL and Python gained from my course.
This role is in a new part of the company where I have never worked before. Almost my entire career up to this point had been working with Sales and my new role is in Marketing. Moving to a senior position represents a higher level of expectations and responsibilities and was a very positive step forward in my career journey.
What are your future career hopes and goals on completion of the Graduate Apprenticeship?
The role I am currently in has actually met my original development hopes. I wanted to be able to continue to work for my company and develop into a senior role where I could use the skills I have gained from the Data Science degree.
I have had to reset and raise my expectations.
I hope to be able to develop in the company and continue my career into further senior roles. I want to continue to learn about how I can use data for not just reporting on what has happened but implement machine learning and predictive analysis to drive understand of our client bases and grow the business.
How would you sum up your overall experience of the Graduate Apprenticeship programme?
Challenging and incredibly rewarding.
Peter Yarrow (Global Head of Learning at abrdn) explains how Graduate Apprenticeships suit the company's business model.
“GAs provide an opportunity for our employees to study a subject that is directly relevant to their roles and apply what they learn immediately, so they can see the results of their studies almost in real time.
As the programmes are open and funded for students of any age, this gives the programmes wide appeal and accessibility. For example, we have used GAs for employees who are earlier in their career and looking to advance their skills as they develop, and we’ve also used GAs to support more experienced employees who maybe didn’t go to University and are looking to deepen their expertise, using a combination of academic and work-based learning.
Heriot-Watt provides GA programmes that are relevant to people in our business and, as we’re a large employer in Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt is in a prime location for many of our employees.”
Inspired by Rob’s story?
Has Rob’s story inspired you to think about how a Graduate Apprenticeship can open up further career opportunities? You can explore our range of programmes, including Data Science.
Alternatively, contact the Graduate Apprenticeships team on ga@hw.ac.uk.