Apprentice Review

Currently, my role consists of a lot of programming, alongside the networking I'm doing to integrate better with the company. My team ensures I am always motivated and busy by offering support to me when it is needed, and also providing new interesting projects that will help out the firm.

Throughout the apprenticeship so far, we have received support from university, as well as training sessions from within the firm which are extremely beneficial. The skills taught to us in these sessions include networking, presentation, technical, and even complimentary training to University, such as the training course for properly utilising your brain.

The apprenticeship programme has definitely exceeded my expectations, and the work I am undertaking with my team keeps me motivated and interested in the programme. I feel I am constantly developing as a person, and learning new skills which will be essential in my future career. The Goldman Sachs apprenticeship program never keeps you bored.

Goldman Sachs places a lot of stress into the apprenticeship program, and they only hire a small amount of apprentices every year. Meeting new people within the firm as an apprentice gives you a lot to talk about, therefore providing invaluable networking opportunities, and people within the firm are always interested in what an apprentice has to say.

Within Goldman Sachs, the programme is very structured and organised, to the extent that are given buddies, who is a person in your team that can help you on a day-to-day basis, a mentor, who is somebody to talk to in another team who can provide advice outside of your project work. We also get set work based objectives from our managers every term, which are counted towards your degree, and these work based objectives are usually aligned to a project you are working on.

From University we are given a lot of support, which includes a mentor specifically for apprentices, and we are given access to the apprentices that have already completed first year so we can receive advice. There aren't a lot of apprentices at Queen Mary, and the smaller class sizes does benefit you a lot.

From our employers we are given a lot of support, we are given access to mentors, buddies, and some contacts within Human Capital Management, who look out for the well being of apprentices. Because we are given access and support from such a wide variety of people across the firm, if we ever have a problem and need advice, there is always somebody you can go to, regardless of the subject.

The salary offered at Goldman Sachs is a very competitive rate which definitely compensates for the lack of holidays compared to the normal University approach. We also receive bonuses which is not standard for an apprenticeship program. The competitive salary does mean I can easily provide for my accommodation and transport around London as well as having money left over for my social life.

The firm offers one day a year where you can go to volunteer for a cause that helps out your community. There are also many opportunities forwarded to us from Human Capital Management which range from training sessions, to going to local schools to promote the apprenticeship program. Goldman Sachs also offers leisure activities such as a football team, and a gym for employees only.

Yes

The Goldman Sachs apprenticeship program offers a solid foundation for your career with a competitive salary. It also provides invaluable experience in the industry which could not be replicated with a summer internship program. When you are working in the technology industry, as well as attending university, you can see the differences in industry as well as applying what you have learn in university to benefit your work.

Make sure you thoroughly prepare for you interview, but also make sure you are completely open and honest throughout the recruitment process. Goldman Sachs would rather hire somebody who is genuine, and has no programming experience, than somebody who believes they know it all and doesn't have the thirst to learn.