Software Engineer Lead Review

I'm a Software Engineer Lead at Capgemini. Usually on projects, I'm working in a team comprised of myself and other Software Engineers working in a DevOps culture using the Agile methodology. Everyday I could be using a range of different languages including JavaScript, Java, Python, and SQL and or using modern technologies to automate and manage our systems like Jenkins, Terraform, Kubernetes, Docker and the Atlassian Suite.

I started out developing basic client-side web front-ends in HTML, CSS, JavaScript and JQuery, as well some really simple programs in Python. Since joining Capgemini, I've been able to rapidly grow and develop my skillset to where I've learnt several more languages & frameworks and broadened my knowledge base to Platform Engineering and Networking!

The programme itself is decent. The course has it's faults where it doesn't keep up with the face-paced nature of the job (an example of this would be where I learnt how do to loads of Software Engineering skills early on at work, and then the course would teach us the same thing 2 years later). However, overall, because you're getting the best of both worlds (the academic vs. the practical perspective) then you end up learning so much more.

Overall, it's fairly well structured. You learn the basics of programming, testing and general Software Engineering skills early on and then develop more complex skills later. The way the course is staggered depending on your intake means that you could be studying a unit 6 months before you study one that ideally you'd study before the first one, but this is rare and most units are self-contained.

I receive loads of support in my learning from Capgemini. Degree Apprentices have the unique positioning to be placed on a range of projects, as we are much less specialised in our experience. This means that we can learn a whole range of technologies and skills which has already proven helpful in future projects and helped me decide what specialisations I want to follow. Granted some projects are more boring or simplistic, but generally speaking, it's really good.

For all of our units, we have the option to go to online webinars where we can talk with the Teaching Assistant about the module. These can wildly vary in quality depending on the skill of the TA, their internet connection and the module content. The direct involvement of the Tutor themselves is very limited, down to introductions, assessments and the videos of the lectures that we watch online, this is quite disappointing and the tutors can often hide behind the bureaucratic systems of the University to excuse themselves from being more active, productive and engaging to the students.

It does and it doesn't. Most of the units that we've studied at university either: Don't help at all (because we've already learnt the skills at work), or Actively confuse students (due to the university teaching out-of-date technologies and frameworks, whilst not being very open to prospect that these could be improved upon). However, some of the modules have REALLY helped, usually because they go into the theory and academic side of some aspect of Software Engineering that many, if not all, of us don't get to experience at work.

As part of our projects, we often go out for dinner together and socialise, or if we're working late for some reason, the project manager will get the team a few pizzas to keep up morale. Depending on the office and the region there are a few internal clubs and social events, but it completely depends on what region you're based in and if you get to work in your base location, which for many of us is not a guarantee.

Yes

Capgemini has given me so many opportunities and invested a lot in me. I think it's only right for others to have the same opportunities and investment. Capgemini may be flawed in many ways but we're always improving and I know that many of my friends would play a hand in improving the company, too.

[This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] If you don't know something, it's much better to admit it and show a willingness to improve & learn than try to fake your way through a situation. Most importantly of all: Be honest, introspective and true to yourself.