Test Analyst Review

My role as a Junior Test Analyst involves executing test scripts, defect reports, producing Test Evidence and reviewing documents. However, due to the diversity of my apprenticeship, and the opportunity I have received to work with real teams on projects that matter, i have been given a lot more responsibilities than my day-to-day role. I am currently working on a huge project which has already been making great impacts for the client since part of it was released earlier last year. I get to interact with people outside of my team on a daily basis, whether this is the development team or the management team. I also get to liaise with companies that my team works close with, which I never thought I’d even have the confidence to do, let alone get the opportunity to do! On top of my technical role I am also involved with extra work around the different communities within Capgemini, specifically the Testing Community where I joined the communications team and helped build a website, giving me exposure to more people and skills very early on. The great thing is, is that not only are these opportunities available, you are encouraged to take part, which gives a great confidence and career boost.

Since starting my apprenticeship i have gained some money-can't-buy skills and experience. The formal training that lasts for 3 months at the beginning of the apprenticship gives you a great basis to start your career on, and with understanding tutors and colleagues around you help is never far away (which was great for ones like me who needed it!). Despite the daunting task of exams, marking and challenging tasks ahead there was a great atmosphere between all of the apprentices and we all came out with some great qualifications. After the 3 months were up learning and training didn't stop there, but i noticed that the balance between settling in and training was well managed, as I never felt overwhelmed. I went on some more necessary role-specific training then from there on in it has been a case of if i want to learn a new skill my area will support me and do their best to find a training course for me to attend. You really can mould your career how you want it to be and, the support is always there for you, which is needed when joining a new company straight from school! I also feel i have matured a huge amount throughout this apprenticeship. I am more confident and professional than i ever thought i would be and I surprise myself with how much I have learnt within my year here, and that I am still learning.

The work I do and the people that i get to work with every day is what I enjoy most about the apprenticeship. I love that I have my own work load on projects that make a great impact on the country, because not only does it mean i am making a difference, it is also experience that only a tiny present of people will receive with as little experience as apprentices have, so to me it has been the perfect way into working life. The company itself is great to work for in the sense that it is global, which is attractive to those who would like to travel. It's also good because once you're in; you can pretty much tailor your career however you want it! Moving around the company is encouraged as this gain you more experiences in different areas and roles, so you have a certain amount of freedom and fluidity in your role. I do enjoy the work I do and the role I’m in (especially when it's someone's birthday and they bring cakes into the office!) and I would recommend my apprenticeship to anyone wishing to join CapGemini.

The appreciation I receive comes in different forms. I have experienced recognition mainly through my team by then providing me with feedback, which is always positive and useful. This reiterates the good job I am doing, and how much I am valued within the team because of the work I do. I also feel valued in the sense that the work I am receiving is detailed and quite complex, so it is great to know that the company do trust apprentices with difficult workloads and tasks, which is internal recognition in itself. Outside of my day job I feel valued greatly as there is a wave of recognition across the company for how great apprentices and graduates are for the company, which is true!

The program was tailored perfectly for me, and although everyone learns differently I found the whole experience to be really thought out and managed really smoothly. Between the 3 months training i was shown my office, and had a few days every 3rd week within the business to give me a chance to dip my toe into office life before taking the big dive into project work. This gave me the opportunity to make a few friends in the office so that I wasn't a stranger to everybody, which I though was a great idea. I am aware, however, that the program structure has changed since my on-boarding. Within work I also complete my apprentice work on top of my testing, which was also structured very well, giving enough time to comfortably complete the units I needed to complete within the set dead-line.

The accessibility of training in this apprenticeship is second to none, with an endless amount of formal and informal courses and online training you can attend. The general attitude from business areas to supporting apprentices is very relaxed and fluid, so if you want to add to your skills set, you can, but if you would prefer on the job training, that's fine too. However if you do express interest in some training then the support is always there.

Because apprentices are fresh-faced, rearing to go employees the business strives to keep this passion and enthusiasm within them, which is why there are frameworks put in place to enable the apprentices and graduates to keep climbing the ladder within the company. Apprentices are well looked after and there if well thought-out guidance from all aspects of the company that you will come into contact with.

On the Advanced Apprenticeship I do feel that for someone who goes straight into work with only GCSEs then the pay is outstanding, especially for the reputation that apprenticeships have for salary. I have been able to move out (in a house with 3 other people) and can support myself without any need of another source of income. I can travel to work, buy food, attend social events and have money to spare at the end of each month, though I do feel this may be a different case depending how far away you live from your base location, and where you live in Britain.

There is always something going on outside the office, whether this is a night out, paintballing, corporate events that you have been invited to or just the 5-a-side football that your team runs once a week! Invitations to events across the company often find themselves in apprentices inbox's, as CapGemini are proud to demonstrate the maturity, professionalism and eagerness of their apprentices. Through these extra events I have been able to make some great connections inside and outside of my area of work, which is very useful to have in the IT industry.

Yes

Because it has been a great way to gain qualifications, work experience, and get into one of the largest IT companies in the world. If you don't know what you want to do as a career i'd definitely recommend this too as it opens so many more opportunities than just IT, and can take you over the world if that's what you want.

I would recommend checking your email frequently! This way you can fully prepare for the phone interview/assessments day as well as you can. Make sure you have everything they have asked you to prepare, and don't be afraid to take a few notes in with you into your fact to fact interview, it doesn't show forgetfulness, it shows organisational skills. I know it's cheesy but just be yourself! Remember it's not about how much you know, it is the type of person you are, they can teach you all the knowledge, that's the point of the apprenticeship! Good luck to anyone applying for either an apprenticeship or Graduate scheme in CapGemini