Higher Apprentice DBA Software Engineer Review

Environment Agency Higher Apprentice DBA Software Engineer. Maintaining and updating applications run by the EA account within Capgemini. Email, IM, IM Audio conference, telephone face to face interactions are frequent with colleagues. Clients and users are only contacted via email, telephone or IM. My responsibilities and day to day duties will include but not be exclusive to monitoring and escalating incoming calls and emails, usually reporting an error on an application.

My previous skills were all built on existing, self-taught knowledge. These were exponentially multiplied by the 13 week intensive training before work started on the role. A lot of my skills are backed up with qualifications, however some are based on working experience from various previous IT roles. So far I have learnt a vast array of languages, programs and operation systems, including Linux Unix, Sql, PL/SQL, Apex, Python. Additionally I have learnt some creative problem solving and project management. Not all of the knowledge imparted in the 13 weeks has come of use in the working role, but it is good to have a broad spectrum to work with and open doors.

I very much enjoy the sense of achievement when accomplishing a task before the deadline and working within a team. The company culture is an extremely positive attitude towards apprentices and graduates which bares great hope for an excellent career. My expectations were quite low as I, personally, would rather expect little and be positively surprised than vice versa. But this apprenticeship has done very well at excelling and guiding my in the right direction for my career ahead.

I believe that with time I will be able to make a large impact on my own career and be able to steer it in the right direction. My manager is very involving and full of praise with a good sense of direction for the team. It hasn't taken long to get me involved and on par with the service level of the team, striving to meet targets and achieve goals.

Everything is there and well thought through. from the induction, to training, through support and materials. Despite every group and intake being slightly different, steps are taken to ensure that the next intake will enjoy an even further improved apprenticeship.

Whilst in training we had a tutor available to us 24/7 via email and 7 - 7pm face to face or telephone. This guidance was extremely helpful and was often put to use with struggling individuals or exceptionally tricky topics. Our tutor helped us along brilliantly and equipped us with all the necessities plus more for the workplace

There are many levels of support in place which are made clear from very early on in the recruitment process. These different levels of access to both support and knowledge are extremely useful as it offers many options for back up reassurance. Generally speaking, there is always someone there to speak to in one way or another. No matter what the issue is.

Having had to move for the role, I have had to shell out on moving locations. However the 13 weeks of training were completely facilitated and allowed me to save money to enable the move. The salary whilst working is an excellent scheme and allows for a very transparent view into the hierarchy of the company and which career rout might be best for you as an individual.

The office itself is a very open plan space with open interaction and conversations. All seem very friendly and open to invite new people along to activities and charity events. There are a multitude of options and opportunities to become part of all the different circles of people within the working space.

Yes

It's a huge company with great prospects for young talent. As long as you know what you want to achieve and can picture a plausible way of getting there, Capgemini will offer you that opportunity.

Do: - research, see what it is you are getting yourself into - have drive and self motivation, otherwise you won't get far - be open minded, your dream job may be out there and you haven't even heard of it yet Don't: - expect for things to be handed to you, achieve your own goals - do the bare minimum, this is your career the better you do the better you will do - try to wing it, honestly is the best policy. The worst thing that can happen is being asked to do something you said you could do, but can't