If you had told me a few years ago that I would end up working in data, I probably would not have believed you.
I spent twelve years in outdoor retail, starting on the shop floor and finishing as a general manager. I enjoyed it but when my daughter arrived, I knew I wanted a change. I had always been drawn to the analytical side of the job, understanding patterns, solving problems, using information to make better decisions. Data felt like a way to take that instinct somewhere new and build something practical that could genuinely help people work better.
At first, moving into a technical role felt like stepping into a completely different world. However, a lot of what I already knew carried across, such as communicating clearly, solving problems under pressure, and learning quickly. Those things matter just as much in data as they did in retail. Realising that gave me the confidence to make the leap, even though I was starting from scratch. That is what led me down the apprenticeship route.
It was a shock at first. I went from managing teams and running several stores to learning how to explore data using Structured Query Language (SQL) and working with tools like dbt to organise and prepare data so it can be used more effectively.
The apprenticeship was hands on from the start, and I had brilliant support from colleagues who were generous with their time and knowledge. I worked on several projects, but the one I am most proud of is the derived data layer I built on top of the OneCrown data model. It is now used for automated statistical publication tables and a refreshable management information dashboard, replacing static Excel outputs with something more useful and more sustainable. Helping to build that, and seeing it used, made the harder moments worth it.
Being trusted to work on something real made a huge difference to how quickly I learned.
One of the biggest shifts was getting comfortable not having all the answers. In retail, I was the person people came to for decisions. In this role, I had to learn to ask questions, make mistakes, and figure things out as I went. Over time, that became a strength rather than a weakness. It helped me build strong relationships and understand problems more deeply.
Working as analytics engineer apprentice meant sitting between the people who build the data and the people who use it. That gave me a front row seat to a lot of different perspectives. Some of the most valuable learning came from conversations, not courses.
I completed the apprenticeship with a distinction and was proud to be named Apprentice of the Year 2025 at the QA Excellence Awards. For me, that recognition reflects the whole journey: the career change, the steep learning curve, and the choice to keep going even when it felt hard.
If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be this. Take the leap. Starting something new is uncomfortable, not knowing the answers is uncomfortable. It is that discomfort is where most of the good stuff happens.
Learning opportunities in Justice Digital, Data and Science is not something you have to fight for or fit in around everything else. People are encouraged to build new skills, try things outside their immediate role, and ask for support when they need it. That is not something every organisation gets right, and when you are new to a field and still building your confidence, it makes an enormous difference.
Sometimes the biggest step is just deciding to begin and that is a lot easier when the people and organisation around you are rooting for you to succeed.
https://mojdigital.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/22/from-retail-manager-to-analytics-engineer-apprentice/
seen at 15:12, 22 May in Justice Digital, Data and Science .