I actually loved Enterprise Analytics

This module is essential to develop a solid background and confidence in mathematical techniques and analysis, to enable study on a degree programme in technology or engineering studies. The module will help students to critically analyse the analytics of the business domain, also to assess their existing mathematical skills and sympathetically enable them to remedy any basic deficiencies. - module description on Canvas

For many software engineers, according to each cohort with whom I studied during my time at Anglia Ruskin University, Enterprise Analytics was not a module that was enjoyed.

The module was part of the BSc Digital and Technology Solutions degree, for each specialism. It was also studied by the BSc Data Science, full-time and by its apprentice cohorts.

Enterprise Analytics, also shortened to EA, was a module that I had started in 2020. It was the first module that I had studied at Anglia Ruskin University, having previously been at the University of Suffolk. During this time, the module was delivered online - I had not met any other student in my [first] cohort at this point.

EA was focussed on providing a foundation in mathematics - we did work on linear algebra, calculus and mathematical modelling.

My previous experience was in A-Level Mathematics, which I had completed five years prior. When selecting my A-Levels, I was drawn towards Further Maths but chose to study French instead - my plan is to someday study what I would have learned in Further Maths. I was such a nerd that I would have studied 5 A-Levels if I could, and this would have definitely included Further Maths. My teachers remarked that I enjoyed studying Mathematics, and they noted that I would stay behind to work on any Mathematics problems. Of all the subjects that I completed at A-Level, I did the best at Mathematics.

When I approached Enterprise Analytics, I was keen to continue my education in Mathematics further. I had had the privilege of great teachers who had instilled a love of the subject into me, and that it was something reasoned and coherent. I particularly liked understanding proofs, as my mind thrives on understanding why things are the way that they are.

However, I realised that my thinking seemed insular in this regard. I had thought that other software engineers also enjoyed Maths, but I found that this was not the case. There is no judgement on my part, only to convey that they did not thrive on the module.?

The assessments for Enterprise Analytics was a series of questions on mathematics, and two mathematical modelling case studies (one linear, one based on my own choosing). I was motivated to do as well as possible in each component, given my love for the subject. The former included graphs from Desmos to illustrate the correctness of my work, whilst the chosen case study was a Na?ve Bayes Classifier which I had implemented as a Colab notebook.

I really enjoyed the second case study, as I used a Na?ve Bayes Classifier to determine the likelihood of a COVID-19 diagnosis given a set of symptoms. It taught me about how to render and process data from csv files into working decision-making processes that would lead to real-world benefits (in this case, the detection of COVID-19 cases):

My perceptions were changed, and I had quickly learned that a love of one part of engineering, such as the applied mathematics taught in this module, does not necessarily translate to other parts, such as software engineering.

Because I had thrived on the module, I questioned my position as a software engineer. My motivation was still to complete my Software Engineering degree, with the possibility of one day working in areas related to mathematical modelling. That said, I reflected on what I enjoy about software engineering, and I would say that EA was the first impetus for that reflection.

This is also compounded by my previous experience:

• I attended data science classes whilst I was looking for work in 2019
• I had attended a webinar by the London Interdisciplinary School which discussed mathematical modelling because I had been inspired to do so by Enterprise Analytics?

Finding the motivation to finish was something which I have had to surmount, but I am pleased that I had done so. Even if you ignore the fact that I finished something that I had set out to finish, the skills which I have learned as a software engineer are transferrable to a range of fields.

For now, I am hoping to gain a fuller and more practical appreciation of software engineering so that I can be better informed about what options would best suit me. This is an ongoing process, which I would argue has been started by my apprenticeship.

To conclude, sticking out any apprenticeship is worthwhile as it shows that you have perseverance. Additionally, that you can make an informed decision whether to continue where you are - this is because you have gained an appreciation of the subject from both academic and professional perspectives.

Andrew Bolt is a recently-completed Degree Apprentice, working for the Science and Technology Facilities Council and having studied for a BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions degree at Anglia Ruskin University. This article forms part of the #ThinkBIG series of articles about apprenticeships.