A day in a life of an Apprentice Data Analyst at Holley Holland

Holley Holland is a practitioner-led, global consultancy with a focus on solutions to business and technical challenges for financial services institutions. Working as an Apprentice Data Analyst at this innovative and outcome-focused consultancy has offered me a unique experience, combining remote and in-office working. Although no day is the same at Holley Holland, I hope you enjoy this insight into a typical day in my life.

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Day recap

9 am – Morning preparation:

Whether I’m working from home or I’ve commuted to the central London office, the first hour is dedicated to settling in and preparing for the day ahead. This includes checking emails, reviewing pending tasks, and organising priorities.

10 am – Data exploration, analysis and coding:

As an apprentice data analyst, I am working on a client project and also a project within our unique ‘Innovation Lab’. Both involve leveraging data from various sources. My role entails cleaning, manipulating, and analysing the data to extract valuable insights. I use visualisation tools, data lineage tools and some coding. I’m able to uncover patterns and trends that drive informed decision-making.

11 am - Daily stand-up meeting (client project):

At 11:00am, it's time for the daily 30mins stand up meeting with my team and project manager. As we work in a hybrid setting, this meeting could be conducted virtually or in person depending on the team members’ working arrangements. In these meetings my team and I discuss progress, address challenges, and plan the day ahead. Regardless of location, I have the opportunity to share updates, seek guidance, and collaborate effectively with team members.

12.30 pm – Lunch break:

During lunch break I may eat at home or explore nearby eateries if I’m working from the office. Holley Holland encourages maintaining a healthy work/life balance, allowing team members to recharge and unwind during this break. It's also an excellent opportunity to connect with colleagues whether in person or virtually, fostering a supportive work environment.

1.30 pm – Data visualisation and reporting:

The afternoon is usually dedicated to data visualisation and reporting. As an apprentice data analyst my responsibility is to present complex data findings in a visually appealing and easily comprehensible manner. Utilising tools like Power BI, Excel, Visual Studio code or Solidatus I create interactive dashboards, data lineage models, graphs, charts, etc., that effectively communicate insights to stakeholders and clients.

3 pm – Skill development:

The mid-afternoon is often allocated for training sessions, online courses, or workshops. These opportunities help in sharpening analytical skills and learning new techniques. I also have in-person and remote access to mentors and senior analysts who can help guide my professional growth.

4.30 pm – Innovation Lab stand-up meeting:

In the late afternoon I attend the stand-up meeting specifically dedicated to the Innovation Lab. Holley Holland encourages innovation and creativity by providing a dedicated space for employees to explore new ideas and technologies. During the meeting we discuss ongoing projects, share progress, brainstorm ideas, and collaborate with colleagues to develop cutting edge solutions that help solve our clients’ challenges.

5 pm – Wrap-up:

I spend the last half an hour wrapping up any pending tasks and documenting my progress. This includes updating project documentation, creating summaries of my findings, and preparing for the next day's activities.

5.30 pm – End of the day:

With the day's work complete it's time to log off and have a relaxing evening.

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Find out more

To learn more about our trainee and apprenticeship schemes, please get in touch with Scott Anderson and Steven Whaley.