Network Engineer Apprentice Review

I am grateful to be a part of a talented team of network engineers within the Consultancy and Engineering practice. As an overview of my apprenticeship, I am a network engineer apprentice who has been tasked with producing a seamless flow of data to power and enable the modern world. I have been given the opportunity to enable myself on a day to day basis through training platforms like UDEMY, Certmaster and Pluralsight which has handed me skills like coding and engineering which I can apply throughout wider work such as with a customer. In more detail, my manager has allowed me to branch out to work with customers under supervision from a senior member of the practice whereby I conduct work for them in a different, real and hands-on setting which has truly taught me how to build on not only my technical networking skills like cabling, Wi-Fi assessment and preventing a threat actor, which I enabled myself to learn about through the platforms spoken about before that have been given to me, but skills like teamwork and presentation.

Similar to the last question, I have been given the opportunity to enhance my skill set not only in my direct field of engineering but especially soft skills like communication and organisation that I have deeply built on, since I have been encouraged to progress and speak out to ensure I grow and develop within the many tasks that I get to perform. More specifically in the engineering role, Computacenter along with my training provider Firebrand, have up skilled my ability through mandatory courses like Server+ and A+ (with CompTIA) on top of the extra activities I get to take part in with the company like Cisco’s courses in their networking academy. Within the company, members within the office also approach me with other opportunities within my sector to try and build on my skills more. For example, a colleague had set me a side project with Cisco’s tools of which I have built my understanding on AI, Virtual Machines and Wi-Fi + Bluetooth networking. Although my apprenticeship isn’t fully complete, I have been supported to thrive in my practice, with regular one to ones whereby my managers and learning mentor has supported me in which skills to try and obtain next to best suit my next project or task. For example, one of my upcoming mandatory exams is the Security+ course with CompTIA and I have been given tools like TryHackMe and Cisco ethical hacking courses to better equip myself ahead of the exam later this year.

Similar to before, I am very grateful for being given the opportunity to learn and up skill myself with abilities that will allow me to thrive within my field. I have been constantly encouraged to learn grow and have been given support at every step in case I got stuck or couldn’t wrap my head around a certain topic. I love the structure of the program on top of the extra curricular enablement I am given the chance to take part in to better my portfolio, skill set as well as bringing about new experiences for myself to get the most out of.

As said in the last question, the programme is very well structured. I have been supported and given more than enough time to meet deadlines and account for any outside learning or activities that is either offered to me or if I ask my manager to partake within something. I have recently been tasked with writing up a project about my everyday role and meeting different knowledge skill and behaviour targets. My manager has equipped me with senior members to support me through this stage. Regular meet ups about this project has been scheduled and offered to me in case I ever felt I was falling behind thus proving that overall the structure of the programme has formed a type of synergy which has helped me to grow deeper than what I could do independently.

My employer has truly accounted for my growth and is constantly aiming for me to progress within my field and as a person. We have weekly meetings and team collaborations have been put in place in order to support and foster my growth. Similar to the response I gave earlier, my manager has enabled me to speak out if ever stuck or confused whilst boosting my confidence to obtain more qualifications, experiences and getting the most out of all the opportunities that are given to me. Through my employer, I have successfully developed further into my role and settled into it and at present, he is encouraging me to thrive and progress further.

The support I receive from Firebrand has also added to my ability to work towards qualifications. For example, I have been given access to Certmaster which is a platform that’s paid for by Firebrand and allows me to understand the content through lessons, Performance based questions and practice assessments. All in all, this support has helped me in achieving qualifications which had practically helped me with my day to day work.

Not really sure how they could improve since the support has been amazing. Possibly smaller cohorts under a single learning mentor and rather than a review every 8 weeks, it could be every month or so. However I do not have any issues with it and am currently developing well.

There is a football club within my workplace whereby we undertake matches in a “league” against other customers within the company. Additionally, there are other networking events and conferences within the department so we get to meet new people and maximise interaction. These support groups have allowed me thrive and manage my mental health through activities more external to the day to day life company.

Yes

I have a profound gratitude to all the members who support me within the role like my Manager, Learning Mentor and early careers team. The culture within Computacenter has definitely shaped who I am as a person today as I am constantly encouraged and supported to grow and learn through everything I do. Whilst there is a lot of learning, especially since I came into the role not knowing as much within technology, I have always been encouraged to ask for help in case I got stuck or stressed out with meeting deadlines for projects (which I haven’t been as of yet) due to the major support that I have been given. Many other events to celebrate our achievements and milestones within the company have been organised which I am deeply grateful for. For example, we recently had a big celebration at our Headquarters to celebrate National Apprenticeship week. We are also given points for thriving and accomplishing new things on top of rewards and prizes. As I truly believe the company accounts and acknowledges each of us individually, I feel that my friends would develop and grow in the company just as I have.

My main advice would be to be eager and willing to learn. The opportunities within the company are substantial and have truly benefited my growth and enhanced my learning within the field of Network Engineering. I wasn’t too strong on computer science but had some initial understanding on the fundamentals which even if I didn’t have, I feel I would’ve still been able to enable myself with due to the support and platforms that has been given to me. Always ask for help if stuck since everyone I have asked for advice or help has given their time to teach me and help me understand certain topics like DHCP and Active Directory, as an example.