Software Engineer Review

I work as a dev ops software engineer. I am responsible for a handful of systems in which I have to stay in contact with a client, ensure live running goes smoothly and I develop fixes or improvements for the systems I own.

I've learnt a lot of new skills through my day to day job but the vast majority has been the degree program. We work through 3-4 modules per 6 months that covers subjects such as Java programming, data structures and algorithms, web design, PHP, JavaScript, SQL/Advanced databases and a lot more.

I'm generally content with the programme at the moment, my day to day job is getting a bit dull so I will be looking elsewhere once I finish my degree and working full time whilst doing a degree is so much work so that isn't great but at the same time I understand it will be worth it in the long run. Working with Capgemini for 5 years and having a degree should be very helpful to my career.

Not very at the moment, I have taken on loads more work due to lots of staff leaving but in my reviews and attempts at promotion I am constantly told that all that extra work is "business as usual" and the extra work load has meant I haven't been able to work on much stuff that they deem "outside business as usual". Because of this my progress has somewhat stagnated after going at a pretty steady rate for 4 years.

The programme is pretty well structured. Modules are worked through at a pretty steady rate, it is a lot of work but it is still manageable. There's good support from both Capgemini and Aston University although Aston lecturers can be a bit slow getting back to you (depends on the lecturer)

Aston provide all sorts of support, lecture recordings, live online lab sessions, some lecturers are slow getting back to you but a lot of them aren't. I've normally had good feedback from lecturers as well about my work which is also useful.

My degree work and work for Capgemini have been quite seperate due to the fact that my degree studies don't really teach me any skills that I can contribute to my current role. Because of this, I have never really asked for much support from them but they are quite flexible when it comes to study leave which is useful.

I don't struggle to afford anything I need at the moment, the wage is very good for an apprentice but I'm also approaching the point where I'll be obtaining my degree but will still be on a lower pay than new graduates on the graduate scheme. Hopefully this gets sorted by the time I graduate, I'll have to wait and see. I do feel as if I'd be on more had I be working for 5 years at another company.

There are a lot of extra activities within Capgemini, mostly Telford-centric but I think there has been a bit of an effort to focus on other base locations a bit more. There is a lot of charity related stuff and work in the community which is always good to know.

Yes

I'll have a debt-free degree, the 5 years experience at a large company is very valuable so it will be very much worth the hard work in the long run. As long as you are willing to make the large time commitment you shouldn't have any issue getting the most of the benefits.

Don't feel too concerned if you don't think your technical skills are up to scratch, when you start the apprenticeship scheme you have 3 months training up in Telford with food and accommodation provided if Telford won't be your base location. They teach everyone starting from a basic level so you shouldn't have any issue getting up to speed. Show willingness to work as a team and read up the Capgemini core values.