Software Engineer Review

My day to day role involves looking after the systems I am in charge of and creating change requests based on improvements that could be made that I have spotted or have been requested by the customer. I then document the requirements and write impact analysis' to help inform other teams of the changes and what impact it could have on them. I then develop a solution for the change, normally in COBOL or DB2, test it and take it to an approval board meeting to get the required permission to have it migrated and run in our live systems.

I have learned plenty of new skills including COBOL and DB2 but have also looked into a variety of other languages to supplement my work such as Selcopy and REXX. Using a mainframe environment was also a learning experience because it allowed me to use a completely different user interface to the modern ones you find in Windows and Linux. In the degree I have already partaken in modules such as Software Engineering, Maths in Computing and Programming Language Concepts. Currently studying Java Programming, Internet Applications, Data Structures and Algorithms and Problem Solving.

It is a lot of hard work and sometimes you finish for the day at work and have to go home and do even more work for the degree but overall the job is quite engaging, my team leader does a good job of giving work if we are low on it but now I have taken over some systems that keeps me occupied. It sometimes can be a bit tedious but when you get stuck in to developing a program it gets a lot better.

I get a very solid pay considering my age, the fact that they are paying for a whole degree course as well. I am on a scheme which helps me receive promotions at a good rate and we receive pay rises that always seem to be timed fairly. Other apprentices in my area have been given great rewards for going above and beyond the normal delivery expectations given to us. They also recognize the extra difficulty of having to do full time study alongside a full time job and can really help when putting forward promotion cases.

The first couple of years wasn't great but quite a lot of that was down to the learning provider but ever since we stepped onto the degree organisation has improve massively. The course is well structured and the communication between the university and Capgemini have been really good. They offer utilities to help plan out your study leave for the year so there are no disappointments when you come to an exam and need the study leave.

QA wasn't very engaged in giving us much learning support, we were very much on our own and our jobs really didn't fit in well with the modules provided so we had to learn the stuff ourselves instead of on the job. Our QA reviewer was a friendly and helpful person though. Aston University (degree course provider) have been great, they supply live lectures, recorded lectures and private appointments with lecturers.

My business unit have always been very flexible with study days and plan our work around the study days. They understand that we have to prioritize the study and some points as long as we understand that they have to put their foot down occasionally if there is an important deadline to meet. In terms of work support, everyone is always willing to help if I get stuck on any work and I have learnt a lot from my colleagues.

My salary is very good for my age and the fact that Capgemini are paying for the degree. Currently I rent a 4 bedroom with 3 other housemates and I live comfortably and still afford weekends away, trips out and generally weekend activities. Obviously you have to be sensible but I've never had major financial issues. In terms of travelling and accommodation for the job and degree commitments, Capgemini are more than happy to approve expense claims for it.

I haven't looked into opportunities outside of work to be honest because they are mostly local things and I live a bit of a distance from my base location and have to commute but I always get emails advertising the next activity that the social club is doing, apprentices are also encouraged to visit schools to give info on the apprenticeship as well as do charity work.

Yes

I get a great wage, been offered a great qualification to go with it provided I put the effort in. My office is really laid back but have a good work ethic. Provided I pass the degree, the potential job opportunities after I have finished the apprenticeship both inside and outside the company will be really good.

Don't worry if you have no technical knowledge, it obviously helps but when you get the job you will go on a 3 month intensive training course in which everyone is assumed to be a novice. Capgemini are after more people skills than technical skills because the technical skills are easier to teach but the people skills are more of a natural thing. Make sure you put a focus on team effort in the assessment center, look for opportunities to help your fellow candidates out instead of taking opportunities to get further ahead of them.