Software Engineer Review

Software Engineer with live running jobs. I help run some systems for a client, that client makes requests for new functionality which is my software engineering work, I develop a solution to that request. I also help with the live running of said systems, making sure processes are run in a timely manner and customers are kept up to date on day to day running.

I've learnt tons of new skills, especially on the degree side as we take on a new set of 3 to 4 module topics every six months. Learning has slowed down on the "on the job" side of things as I've been doing the same work for about 4 years, most of my learning is done on the degree side these days. I've got better at my day to day job just by being in the role for so long. Degree modules have taught me new programming languages such as Java, C# and PHP as well as other topics such as security, ethics and project planning.

Overall it's a very good program, I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to do the degree program and don't regret it but as is to be expected with a full time job and degree program alongside it, it is a very large amount of work and I sometimes spend entire weeks without fully switching off and relaxing. It's just the nature of these courses, they are very full on but the big pay off is you get a free degree and very valuable experience. I do think the program managers could do more little things to make our lives a bit easier but I will go through that in point 5.

Overall, I do feel valued, I contribute work where needed and get good feedback from our clients. My progression has been good so far and I've been rewarded with pay and promotions at fair intervals. I have to admit that recently this progress has stalled, with client work being very low and being told the work isn't available to help with my progression. Hoping work will pick up soon.

I'd say overall organisation is ok but this is my main issue with the program. I've always been grateful to be a part of the degree program, yes Capgemini and Aston do a lot for us but there are small structural decisions which I think could be changed to make our lives a little bit easier because there can be a lot of stress and very little downtime. One example that annoyed a lot of people has been some of our recent on-campus days. We have a limited amount of study days but two of our most recent blocks of three days had us timetabled in for only 4 hours on the thursday, yet 9 hours on Saturday. Why couldn't this have been the other way round? We had to use a full study day for a half day then spend our entire Saturday of our own time in lectures. This isn't a one off, it's happened multiple times. Another issue I've heard a couple of people complain about, August bank holiday weekend is quite a popular time to go on holiday. Not for degree students, as Aston have made sure they have scheduled exams on the Thursday and Friday of every August Bank Holiday weekend while I'm on the course. Just small considerations like this would go a long way but these considerations don't seem to be happening.

Support from Aston is very good, I've never had any issues contacting lecturers, we get a wealth of learning resources, weekly tutorials, office hours to ask questions etc. I do wish there was a place you could give anonymous feedback for the course without having to actually be on-campus. Currently the only way I know of is to post a letter in their reception. The on-campus days are mostly valuable although have been some instances where it's just been a lecturer reading PowerPoint slides and didn't really justify getting us to travel to Birmingham for.

Good support from employer, HR are generally helpful, we have reviewers, managers, team leaders we can all talk to if we have any issues. My manager is always very understanding if we have any issues come up outside of work which may impact when we come in (last minute sicknesses and doctors appointments etc.) Never felt like an inconvenience when I've asked for help, people have always been willing to offer assistance.

Meets my costs very well, I can live quite comfortably and travel here fine whilst also having money to spare to save and have a busy social life. I'm a bit concerned about where my salary will be after the degree program but currently I don't think I could get much better.

I find outside of work opportunities are lacking, for me, but I haven't gone actively looking for them so maybe I'm just missing them? I think even if they were there I wouldn't take part anyway due to being busy with degree and other parts of my life so perhaps this question isn't very relevant to me.

Yes

I have complaints about the program but at the end of the day I'm Getting very valuable experience at a large company and getting a debt-free degree. Sometimes the work side has been lacking for me but the degree has taught me a wealth of new skills which has opened up my future options massively.

The process includes a phone interview and a group interview, make sure you prepare thoroughly, read up on the company (not essential but goes a long way). Put the effort in to show you have team-working capabilities, in the group interview try getting other people involved if they seem uncomfortable but don't take over. Don't be to worried if you are lacking in some technical aspects, everyone is taught on a level playing field so there are going to be people with more and less knowledge than you in certain topics.