Software Engineer Review

Software Engineer - I am currently in a testing role on a project in Birmingham but also do some development day to day. I am part of a small team of experienced developers who support me in the tasks I take on. I am responsible for ensuring that the test scripts for functionality are run and all pass; if they do not I talk to whoever developed the piece of functionality and talk them through how it needs to be changed or how it is not currently working. I then track the defect through until it is ready to be retested, where I pick it up again and ensure it now passes testing. I also go through defects raised by the client and check if they can be reproduced. If they can, I raise them and assign them to who I know has the necessary skills to fix it.

Yes, I have learned much more about programming in C#, SQL, JavaScript, CRM and Web Forms. I have also been on a CRM training course to help me better understand the processes in the project. This was organised by my project manager, who ensures that I am keeping pace on the project day to day and supports me if I encounter any challenges.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme. The qualification is with QA which allows flexible learning and deadlines to suit me. I have an assessor assigned to me who supports me through the qualification aspect of the programme, and a reviewer who supports me with the work aspect. There is a very diverse culture in the company, and we are encouraged to network whenever we can, with people around us where we are currently working. The programme is better than I expected, as it includes much more hands on learning, which I enjoy.

I feel very valued by Capgemini, as they are open to investing time and resources into my development in the company, through external training programmes, time with experienced developers to allow knowledge transfer, close supervision and support by various colleagues and managers and allowing me to start on a project just a week after the end of the Accelerated Learning Environment. Everyone on my current project is very helpful and ensures that I am involved in meetings and am aware of what's going on.

From the beginning of the course the targets, tasks and structure have been made clear to me and there have always been people there to support me if I am unsure of what needs to be done. Induction was made fun and interesting - we had many team building exercises to allow us to get to know those who were joining at the same time as us.

I receive really good support from my QA Assessor - she organizes regular catch ups and is always available for questions on email. This means that I can keep up to date with my work and do not have to wait on questions preventing me from making progress on the programme.

I receive a lot of support from my employer - they provide me with guidance and have made me aware of a variety of different people I can talk to if I have any issues. Everyone I have spoken to is very friendly and supportive and have taken steps to make it easier for me to complete my work.

My salary is high enough that I can commute to and from work and live away from parents. If I need to travel to the client location at any point, that is covered by expenses so I do not have to take it out of my salary. As I work close to Birmingham my social costs are lower as I do not have to drive far to meet up with friends or go out to a bar - I can go straight from work. There is also a free shuttle bus service for employees to get to work from the train station.

There are many events I could take part in - the company is well connected through emails, and I regularly get invites to insight events, fund raising activities and community events. There are also regular informal catch ups within projects and business units so that everyone who has worked together can stay in touch.

Yes

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Capgemini and I think it is a great opportunity to get into the IT industry. You can start with no prior coding knowledge as Capgemini are looking to employ people who have the kind of personalities that would fit well with the company, rather than those who just know how to code.

Ensure to be yourself, don't try to be what you think they are looking for: it is more important to be genuine. Apply early to avoid missing the cut off date as I did before joining the following year. Arrive early for assessment days as it is good to show promptness and eagerness. Take every opportunity thrown at you as they will all improve your skillset. I would like to have been told that you don't have to know with absolute certainty exactly what you want to do in IT, you can spend years coding and then decide you want to be a tester and that's ok. Also if you get onto the Accelerated Learning Environment, which is the first three months of the programme, use it to its full potential - you are being paid to learn and it doesn't last forever.