Software Engineer Review

My day-to-day role can vary quite a lot but the majority if it is down to writing code and having meetings with colleagues about tasks that I need completing and how best to complete them. I have been given quite a large amount of responsibility by working on a project that is independent from my teams main focus. Where I am interacting with other colleagues in order to complete the task while they oversee the process to make sure I am doing things correctly.

From work I have learnt a lot more about programming best practices. As well as learning about some languages a lot more in-depth than I have at my university course. On top of this I've also learnt a lot about the core theory of computer science through my university degree that is provided by my apprenticeship.

I really enjoy the programme so far. At work I have various projects to get along with as well as having time to socialize with my team members at lunch and even at dinner events. Although the culture is different than I had originally expected it was a welcome surprise and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

I feel extremely valued, due to being given two projects already since joining both with quite a large impact and affecting a lot of people. Although in terms of external recognition there isn't much there is a lot of internal recognition and a lot of tools and people to help you improve further.

Both University and Work are structured well to ensure that you don't have any problems. In a work aspect you have no only your manager and team but a buddy and mentor to go to if you have any issues. Then from a University aspect you have a personal adviser you have weekly meeting with to sort any issues with lectures or just timetable issues.

The University has a lot of support from as mentioned before your personal adviser to TA's that are present in lectures and even special extra sessions that are held for students are struggling to understand specific content. Any of the staff at the university are always happy to help students that need further clarification to understand content.

As mentioned before you can also utilize your buddy and mentor should you have any issues or problems. Also there have been specific people to contact from HR should we have any issues which we can't resolve in regards to both university and work. The attitude to support is definitely one to help push us to learn as much as we can and make sure that we don't have any issues along the way.

The salary meets my costs well. Although from living from home in Outer London the costs of Travel is the only main cost aside from basic living. Which the salary does a good job of covering.

There are often company events that all the apprentices are invited to both in the form or activity's such as dinner and Christmas party's but also events related to learning more about the computer science field in a less formal setting. I personally attended both of these events and they are a great way to learn more about your team and the learning events are just good to expand your knowledge. On top of this they also hold various clubs for different sports at the firm and as well as non-sport clubs for things such as improving your public speaking skills.

Yes

Overall, it's an extremely good opportunity and allows for me to gain a great knowledge of the actual industry of software development as well as learning the core from university. They both support each other in a way that university becomes easier from the projects you do at work and work becomes more understandable when you can relate it to the content you have been learning at university.

Apply only to the apprenticeship program preferably as early as you possibly can, make sure to have revised your CV so that it is up-to-date before sending it in. In the case of video interviews perform the practice go before doing the real attempt and try to stay as calm and collected as possible when answering questions. Similar advise goes for in-person interviews just make that you are early and again try not to worry as they are just there to try and find more about you and your experience.