Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, we sat down with Hannah Mehr, Data Scientist at Arup and Level 7 Digital and Technology Solutions Masters Apprentice at Newcastle University, to hear about her career journey to date.
Background and Motivation
Hannah’s entry into the IT profession began at age 15 during the Arup Design Programme work experience week. While her school curriculum focused on traditional sciences, this experience introduced her to the different dimensions of engineering – from town planning to acoustics. During a session on designing digital dashboards, Hannah made an immediate impression on the team. By the end of the week, she was offered an apprenticeship—a term she admits she had to "Google" because her educational environment focused almost exclusively on the traditional A-Levels and university pathway.
It was the culture at Arup—enthusiastic, welcoming, and innovative—that convinced her this was the right environment to launch her career.
Overcoming Barriers and Stigma
Choosing a vocational route required Hannah to navigate significant resistance. She describes a school environment where A-Levels and university were presented as the "only acceptable route," with peers suggesting she was "jeopardising her life" by leaving at 16.
However, Hannah challenges the "old-fashioned" perception that apprenticeships are limited to trade jobs or "making tea." Within her first month, she was working on real client projects. Supported by her family—who did extensive research after meeting the Arup team—she bypassed the academic stigma to pursue applied learning in a professional environment.
The Apprenticeship Journey
Hannah’s career progression showcases a robust commitment to continuous professional development, moving through three distinct stages:
-
Level 3 Software Development Technician: Hannah began with this fundamental qualification. Notably, BCS was the awarding organisation for her endpoint assessment. This stage provided her with the essential building blocks of digital work.
-
Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship: She progressed to a four-year course at Manchester Metropolitan University, specialising in data analytics. This route allowed her to explore her interests in different areas of digital – from geospatial data analytics to software engineering —eventually discovering her passion for Data Science.
-
Level 7 Digital and Technology Solutions Masters Apprenticeship: She is currently undertaking this qualification at Newcastle University to complete the full academic pathway from school leaver to master's level.
Throughout her apprenticeships, Hannah contributed to impactful client projects, applying her learning in real-world contexts.
Professional Development and Recognition
For Hannah, professional registration has been a cornerstone of her career identity. At age 17, while her peers were still in higher education, she achieved RITTech registration through BCS. She describes this as vital for her "credibility and proof of competence," giving her post-nominals and a sense of professional pride early in her career.
She was also 'Highly Commended' Digital Degree Apprentice of the Year at the BCS IT & Digital Apprenticeship Awards in 2022.
Hannah credits the BCS community for helping to shape her career direction. It was during a BCS webinar titled "AI and Me"—where she won a book she read cover-to-cover—that she realised Artificial Intelligence and Data Science were her true calling.
She has since achieved Advanced RITTech and is actively working toward Chartered status (CITP). Working in an engineering firm where safety is paramount, Hannah views Chartership as essential for establishing trust and competence in the unregulated tech industry, particularly regarding the ethical use of AI.
Advocacy and Leadership
Motivated by the lack of advice she received at school, Hannah has become a powerful advocate for the apprenticeship route:
-
STEM and Apprenticeship Ambassador: She returns to schools to dismantle misconceptions, sharing her story to show students that apprenticeships offer "real life, real learning” rather than just menial tasks.
-
Association of Apprentices: As the "Apprentice Voice Lead", she ensures apprentice perspectives are heard at a national level, speaking to MPs, contributing to government roundtables, and participating in formal consultations so that real experiences inform policy decision.
-
Policy Influence: Her advocacy work led to her sitting on a panel at Microsoft during National Apprenticeship Week alongside the UK CEO and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, discussing the future of the sector.
Key Takeaways and Advice
Hannah describes her apprenticeship as "life-changing," noting she would not be the person she is today without it. Her advice to aspiring IT professionals includes:
-
Validate Your Path: Do your research on training providers and employers, as the quality of the experience can vary.
-
Embrace Professional Standards: In a field that changes constantly, admitting what you don't know is a strength. Adopting a mindset of "how can I learn this?" builds the resilience required for a career in tech.
-
No "One Size Fits All": There is no single correct route into digital whether through degrees, bootcamps, or apprenticeships, the key is finding the environment that supports your learning style.
As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, Hannah’s journey stands as a powerful example of how apprenticeships unlock potential, build confidence, and shape highly capable professionals. Her experience proves that when emerging talent is supported with real-world learning and meaningful opportunities, apprenticeships become far more than an alternative route—they become a launchpad into the digital future.
To learn more about apprenticeship opportunities, visit BCS' apprenticehips page and don't forget to join the conversation for National Apprenticeship Week 2026 using #NAW26 across social channels.
