Alumni Success Profiles: Harrison Burkey

Name: Harrison Burkey

Current Role: Data Engineer

Employer: ESNEFT

Multiverse Apprenticeship: Level 4 Data Fellowship

What does a typical day in your role look like?

My day regularly starts with maintaining the trusts data flows and reports within Microsoft Azure and Power BI environments. It is key to for these processes to run as they are the life force of all reporting metrics and dashboards at the trust.

I regularly deal with ad-hoc queries from fellow colleagues across the trust. These can range from completely new data extracts to small logic changes in stored procedures to be in line with the latest standards.

The key part of my day-to-day role is finding improvements to current processes. One recent process I have improved is our pathology process,  the changes I have made are simple but effective cutting process time from 25 hours each fortnight to only 6 hours.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy the impact I have on the wider NHS, as a data engineer you need to be aware of the wider scope of what data we process. This means I get to interact with lots of different colleagues and teams to extract and process data.

Because of the vast array of work, you get a great sense of reward and success, while also feeling your impact on the piece of work that you have helped shape.

Why did this role/industry appeal to you?

Working for the NHS has been an inevitability for me, as a patient I was diagnosed with skin cancer at 14. Due to the outstanding work done at the NHS I have been able to live my life as normal, this had a long last effect on my wanting to give something back to the NHS.  

My first career-focused role was working at my current trust in an admin-based role which gave me the basic experience I would need to progress to the next step. 

My educational background is in Computer Science, however, I never considered a role in data until my final year of college when I had a whole assignment on the impact of big data on businesses. This really grabbed my attention and the rest is history, as it helped me understand the essentials of data.

How did doing a Multiverse apprenticeship support your career journey?

My apprenticeship with was Multiverse the big step up I needed, I always wanted to do an apprenticeship since leaving school so I was always thinking about where would be the best place to go for my career.

NHS England partnering with Multiverse was a match made in heaven for me, one of the best apprenticeship providers and my dream employer. Both parties gave me fantastic training and a better understanding of what it takes to work in the health care/data industry. 

What was the best part about doing a Multiverse apprenticeship?

Honestly, the experience as I went along. I came out a different person at the end of the program, I was far more confident and experienced to take on tasks. The apprenticeship also dealt well with my well-being. Being coached 1:1 really helped me express my areas of development but also the strengths I wanted to focus upon.

What achievement are you most proud of since completing your apprenticeship? 

Since my completing my apprenticeship my greatest achievement is being able to progress in my career. I was really proud of all the work I had developed, as it provided a great base for applying for and seeking out my next job.

What advice would you give to current apprentices who want to progress in a similar role?

Hard work is the starting place but also finding somebody who believes in you. Finding yourself a mentor officially or unofficially is a great way to get your work out to a wider audience but also will give you opportunities to shine.

Use every opportunity to progress and impress, and believe that you will be able to succeed in any task you have been given. 

What advice would you give to someone who wants to do a Multiverse apprenticeship?

Just do it. No really just go for it, Multiverse are a fantastic provider that offers some amazing training and coaching. Without any doubt, I would work with Multiverse again given the opportunity. 

 I also would say when applying for apprenticeships don't get disheartened at rejection as there will be a golden opportunity eventually.

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