Software Engineer - Degree Apprentice Review

I work as a software engineer, and I have a Work Context module at university in which my manager sets objectives and assess me against them. I am always set a project which aligns with the work my team is doing, but my manager tailors this so that they are aligned with my university work or the technical skills we discuss are the best for me to learn. My daily job involves speaking to my global colleagues in American and Asia and collaborating with them. This involves getting feedback on my code or advice when I am stuck on a particular technical issue. I am always surrounded by my local software engineering team, which is part of an even greater team with business analysts and other engineers and so I am always surrounded by bright people to speak to. My work is largely around developing programs and applications to solve a particular issue. I am given a lot of responsibility with regards to access to servers and developer environments, as well as other colleagues code to extend. My day often involves team meetings and catch ups with other colleagues around the firm including my buddy or my mentor. These people are not directly in my team, which is good for having another contact to speak to about my work life.

Over the past year, I have gained knowledge in the following technical skills: Java Python Unix/Linux OS REST APIs Websockets Databases BPMN Workflows Machine Learning - NLP / Neural Networks

I love coming to work. My work is challenging and exciting, and I really enjoy being able to solve challenges myself and with the help of others. Our firm places a lot of emphasis on teamwork, and I could not be in a better environment surrounded by brilliant colleagues who are friendly, approachable and genuinely interesting people. The only time I do not enjoy work is when I am between projects and do not have anything to do, but this is rare as my manager will point me in training for a technical skill which will be useful for me next project. Working at GS is challenging as it does take a lot of time out of my life. The culture here is that people work hard by default, and so you may find yourself occasionally spending longer hours in the office to complete a project than you would elsewhere, but this is not common as an apprentice. My team and even the people on my floor treat me with respect and are always willing to help me out with my silly questions- something I truly appreciate.

When I am set projects, my manager sits down with my and directly explains the impact it will have on my team, and why it is relevant. When I am given a project, the responsibility I am given around driving the project and communicating with my other team mates makes me feel like a normal full time employee. This is a testament to the firm. I have often been told by new colleagues that they thought I had been in the firm for years as a full time employee by the way I carry myself and integrate with my team, and this is something I really value.

When we initially joined, we had a week long orientation in the firm, covering life at GS, what is expected of us, how to manage our managers and network e.t.c. This was an invaluable source of preperation before I met my team, and HCM did an awesome job planning these sessions. We then continued to have weekly sessions once we were in our teams, in which we learnt about technical aspects of the firm as well as general workplace skills which have proved incredibly useful.

We have coordinators at our firm who liase with the university to understand the modules coming from there, and to clarify expectations from both sides. We have a strong support network at both work and university, raging from mentors, buddies, managers, direct colleagues, personal advisors and tutors, and so there is always somebody to speak to about work or university.

See above answer.

When considering the value gained from our employers paying for our degree, the package is definitely amazing. The lack of debt combined with the 4 years industry experience in a high-caliber investment bank is fantastic, and the added salary is even better. The only downside is the cost of relocation. London is particularly expensive to live and rent, and so unless you live from home and commute the salary may not be sufficient to live in London.

Yes, HCM constantly have events to take part in and help with the student outreach programs in schools. The firm also allow you to take a paid day off to help at a community project. There are different 'networks' which allow you to get involved with other demographics around the firm - the military veterans, religious, LGBT or black networks are just a few examples. However working comes with a trade off, as there is not much time to get involved with university life. Balancing work and uni means there is rarely time to get involved with the students at university.

Yes

The people here are fantastic, you are stretched and learn so many skills (sometimes without even noticing it) and the financial benefits (free degree, lack of debt, salary, industry experience at a young age) far outweigh the negatives (trade-off with university social life).

When being interviewed they are checking to see if you would fit into the culture of GS and your potential to grow with the firm. Be friendly, intellectually curious and honest.