Eleven Years in Property. One Bold Move into Data.

Eleven Years in Property. One Bold Move into Data.

A career change into tech can feel like a leap into the unknown. For Amanda Stephens, that leap became a transformative journey, one that has already led to industry recognition, real-world impact, and a nomination for Apprentice of the Year at the Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2026.

Now in her third year of a Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (DTSP) degree apprenticeship at Northeastern University Londonand working within the customer experience strategy and insight team at Toyota GB, Amanda’s journey reflects the power of employer-led, real-world learning.

A career change driven by curiosity and ambition

After more than a decade working in estate agency, Amanda reached a turning point.

“I really enjoyed my career, but I felt stagnant. There wasn’t a clear path forward, and I knew I needed something that would challenge me.”

A career break and time spent travelling gave her the space to explore new possibilities. What began as an interest in digital marketing quickly evolved into a fascination with data and coding.

“I loved the search engine optimisation side of things, and that led me into coding. That’s when I realised how much I enjoyed working with data.”

Despite her growing interest, breaking into the tech industry wasn’t straightforward. Entry-level roles often required years of experience, something she didn’t yet have. That’s when she discovered degree apprenticeships.

Why a degree apprenticeship made sense

For Amanda, choosing a degree apprenticeship was both a practical and strategic decision.

“Combining three years of work experience with a degree, without the financial burden, made it a no-brainer.”

The ability to earn, learn, and gain hands-on experience simultaneously provided a clear pathway into a new career, particularly important as a career changer.

It also addressed a key challenge many aspiring professionals face: the gap between education and industry experience.

“Now I’ll have both the degree and the experience. That puts me in a much stronger position for career progression.”

Learning through real-world application

A defining feature of Amanda’s experience has been the integration of academic learning with practical application.

Through her Tech Industry Gold accredited DTSP programme, Amanda has developed skills across:

• Python, SQL, and programming fundamentals
• Data visualisation and dashboard creation
• AI and cybersecurity concepts
• Database design and analytics

But what makes the experience truly impactful is how these skills are applied in real time.

“There have been modules that align directly with situations at work. Seeing things play out in real time has helped me understand concepts much more deeply.”

This employer-led approach ensures that learning is not theoretical, but directly relevant to industry needs, one of the core principles underpinning Tech Industry Gold accredited programmes.

Turning customer data in impactful business decisions

In her role at Toyota GB, Amanda is already making a tangible impact.

Working within the customer experience strategy and insight team, she analyses customer feedback data and translates it into actionable insights for senior stakeholders.

“I create reports for directors, looking at customer satisfaction and identifying pain points. These insights directly inform decision making at the top of the organisation.”

Her work spans:

• Producing “voice of the customer” reports
• Analysing customer satisfaction metrics (including NPS)
• Supporting product and leadership teams with data-driven insights
• Delivering ad hoc analysis across the business

One of her standout achievements has been leading training for a large network of stakeholders.

“I’ve been training over 200 dealer groups on how to use our data platform, tailoring sessions for different levels of experience. It’s been a huge project, but incredibly rewarding.”

Building confidence, capability and professional impact

Transitioning into tech came with its challenges, particularly building confidence in a new field.

“At the beginning, I was nervous presenting data to senior stakeholders. I didn’t always understand the terminology or the ‘why’ behind the insights.”

Over time, that changed.

“Now I can confidently lead meetings, explain insights, and ask the right questions. That confidence has grown massively.”

This growth reflects the broader value of apprenticeships: not just developing technical skills, but building professional capability, communication, and business understanding.

Apprenticeship success and industry recognition

Amanda’s hard work and dedication has been successfully recognised as part of her learner journey.

She has:

• Been shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year at The Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2026
• Received a learner commendation award from Northeastern University London

“It means a lot. It’s recognition that what I’m doing is working. I’m really proud of how far I’ve come.”

Her proactive approach has also played a key role in her success. From documenting her journey on LinkedIn to participating in conferences, hackathons, and panel discussions, Amanda has consistently gone beyond the core requirements of her programme.

Why apprenticeships matter for reskilling and career change into tech

As a career changer, Amanda is a strong advocate for apprenticeships and is passionate about challenging misconceptions.

“People often think apprenticeships are only for school leavers, but they’re for anyone. You can reskill at any stage in your career.”

The impact has been profound for Amanda.

“It’s completely changed my life. I relocated, started a new career, and built a whole new skill set.”

Her advice to others considering a similar path?

“Just go for it. It’s an incredible opportunity to reskill, gain experience, and open up new career paths.”

Opening doors to future opportunities

As she enters the final stage of her apprenticeship, Amanda is excited about what lies ahead.

“It’s opened up so many opportunities. Whether that’s continuing at Toyota or exploring roles more widely, there are so many doors available now.”

With skills in data, technology, and business and real-world experience to match, Amanda represents the future of digital talent: adaptable, industry-ready, and driven by continuous learning.

The bigger picture: why employer-led learning matters

Amanda’s journey highlights the value of employer-led education in shaping future digital talent.

Through Tech Industry Gold accredited programmes, learners benefit from:

• Industry-aligned curricula shaped by employers
• Real-world application embedded into learning
• Development across technical, professional, and business skills

This approach ensures that learners don’t just gain knowledge, they gain the capability to apply it in meaningful, impactful ways.Explore more

Discover how Tech Industry Gold accreditation supports learners, providers, and employers in building industry-ready digital talent.

Find out more about Northeastern University London's DTSP programme here.