My Multiverse Makeover by Libby Adams

Libby is a Data Fellowship apprentice working for NHS Leeds, she is also a member of Elevate. She explores 10 unexpected benefits of doing an apprenticeship in her 40s.

I never intended to do an apprenticeship. I didn’t even know you could do one at the age of 47. I certainly didn’t know you could do them in tech or data-related subjects. And I had never heard of Multiverse (gasp!)

In fact, over the last couple of years, I had been thinking of leaving my admin/data role within the NHS and going back to my first love – Spanish. I even started a master’s in Spanish Translation, but the pandemic threw a metaphorical spanner in the works and I reluctantly withdrew from the course.

Feeling old, tired, uninspired and demotivated, I stumbled upon a one-liner in the hospital bulletin. Something about a Data Fellowship. My interest was piqued. Clicking on the link, I realised it was exactly what I needed to flourish in my job. At that moment I decided: I had to do the course. A few weeks later I was on my Flying Start and I have not looked back since.

Now I could tell you all about subject knowledge, Excel formulae, programming languages, off-the-job, and assignments, but I want to tell you about the more unexpected benefits of what I now call my “Multiverse Makeover!”

I’ve found my people
I’m a little biased, but I think my cohort is an absolute cracker. I have, as they say, “found my people”. I love the team I work with, but they aren’t data people and don’t always understand my challenges or frustrations. My cohort gets me (well, most of the time!)  They know what I’m going through, they know what I am talking about, and help me when I can’t remember which set of brackets to use in python code. They have my back and I have theirs; I would never have met them without the apprenticeship, even though some of them work at the same hospital as me!

I’ve lost 1.5 stones!
That’s almost 10kg if you are too young to measure in stones! This might seem a bit of a stretch, but it’s true. Not only have I met colleagues, but I have also made great friends. And one of them joined forces with me to get fit. Between us, we have lost over 2.5 stones in 10 weeks! And I have made it to week 8 of Couch to 5k, running for 30 minutes without stopping. Having a “fitness buddy” to be accountable for has made a massive difference. I feel fitter and healthier than I have in years! 

I have new outlets for my love of Spanish
Even though I was unable to continue my master's in translation, at least two people in my cohort speak Spanish, which was a fabulous surprise. I make it my mission to try and insert some Spanish into our boot camp chats. I have fun setting the language to Spanish in Power BI and when we recently covered Natural Language Processing I was excited to discover that it didn’t just apply to English! And thanks to my coach, I realised that learning Python code is not that far removed from learning Spanish, I just need to pay more attention to punctuation!

I’ve realised my value
For a long time, I felt that I was lucky to have a job. Ten years ago, due to personal issues, I was redeployed from my role as a children’s nurse to a more administrative role. This meant a massive pay cut. A massive loss of self-esteem. But this apprenticeship is helping me remember my value. I am not lucky to have my job, my job is lucky to have me!

I feel invested in
I thought I would just be learning data content: Knowledge. Facts. Nerdy Stuff to help me at work. I had no idea that the Multiverse experience is so immersive. The amazing resources both on Appl.ied and the Community Hub have challenged and inspired me. I have learned so much that has nothing to do with data! I have been like a sponge soaking up everything I can about group facilitation, change management, leadership, feedback strategies, public speaking, presentation skills, working through menopause, creating a success circle, creativity, and even overcoming procrastination. I wasn’t expecting such a wide range of resources at my fingertips aimed at the whole person. 

I’ve found my cat people
I got a rescue cat a few months before starting the Data Fellowship and we are made for each other. You may even have seen her on the community hub. Imagine my delight at discovering that my cohort was full of other cat enthusiasts! We even set up our own WhatsApp group called The Catalysts (see what we did there?) and are currently planning a world takeover.  Any time anyone feels a little below par, there is always someone willing to share cute photos or memes or cat-related trivia! 

I have new motivation and confidence at work
Everyone has noticed. First, it was one of the secretaries, then the nurses, and consultants. Now even one of the business managers has noticed: I am much happier and much more confident since September 2021. No doubt about it. 

I’ve found the leader in me I didn’t know was there
Having a growth mindset is a phrase I’d not heard of till recently, but I am now developing mine. I no longer think I am powerless to make changes to things that affect me. What I used to think were stumbling blocks are now my climbing frame. Whatever my role or grade my opinions count and I can take the initiative.

I’m having the time of my life
I have met so many fabulous people. I feel blessed to have crossed paths with my coach, my cohort buddies, the wonderful community team, the apprentices on the Elevate programme and my mentor. I am thriving in such a positive, upbeat community. I have realised the power of creating a culture of encouragement and letting people know when they have done a good job, not just when something has gone wrong.  

I’ve changed my mind about myself and my future
I can honestly say this experience as a Career Builder apprentice has literally changed my life. And for the better! I am not the same person now as I was in September at the start of the course. I no longer feel old, past my best, or stuck in a rut. I have years ahead of me and I am convinced they will be the best years of my life. The impact of my ‘Multiverse Makeover’ is propelling me towards a better future full of possibilities. 

I hope you can see why I am an unlikely fan of apprenticeships. Multiverse came into my life at exactly the right time and is exactly what I needed. My life is fuller. I have made best friends, I’m fitter, smarter, and healthier. Oh, and by the way, I have even learned some stuff about Data. I am on the Data Fellowship after all ;)