Software Developer Review

On a day-to-day basis i work as part of an agile development team, creating production code and automated test scripts. The code produced is often demonstrated to clients, and the tests are depended upon to ensure that systems integrate as expected. The work i carry out is exciting and varies depending on the tasks which my team pick up.

Before joining CGI i had little exposure to programming and technical skills, but a strong willingness to learn. Since joining CGI i have created dashboards using HTML, JavaScript and Ruby; coded applications and tests using Java; and created automation scripts using Ansible, bash and python. Working in a business environment has also boosted my confidence in regards to presentations and collaboration.

I find that i'm always very busy on this programme, balancing work and university tasks alongside social activities. It is a challenge to fit it all in, but a rewarding challenge which i enjoy. The role which i have currently is very engaging and offers ample challenge for my development, however the university days are very long (10 hours plus travel time), and the quality of teaching could be improved.

My workplace is very supportive of my workload and university commitments, providing multiple people within the organisation who i can go to for support. CGI provides a mentor for each degree apprentice student, who assists with career development and managing workloads. The university assignments are released at the start of term, so you can start as soon as comfortable, giving flexibility, however there were some days at university which many people felt were wasted due to lack of useful content.

My employer provides a mentor, workplace buddy and manager for each degree apprentice, who they can go to for assistance with any problems within the workplace. Each week i have a meeting with my mentor, who is a senior management individual, with extensive experience in CGI who is able to assist with policies and procedures. My workplace buddy is someone who has previously been through the degree apprenticeship, and can therefore assist with course content and tips.

My training provider offers some support for assignments and exams, however the level of support offered varies greatly depending on the lecturer. Lecturers can take weeks to reply to emails, so support is often difficult to find. Learning is left nearly entirely to the student, and lectures often consist of simple PowerPoint with people talking at you, lacking engagement.

I feel that a majority of the learning and progression i have made is a result of learning on the job, opposed to through my training provider. As such believe that my training provider has not helped me perform better in my role, due to the lack of hands-on learning provided.

CGI has a sports and social club, where you pay a £5 a month membership fee and gain access to many subsidised or free activities. Since joining CGI, i have been to badminton near enough every week, multiple restaurants, bowling and pubs without spending any money thanks to the SSC. We also recently went on a Thorpe Park trip, which cost £3 for a ticket, so you can easily get your money's worth.

Yes

CGI offers a range of roles for new joiners and, due to their size, offer the flexibility to move to new roles particularly easily. CGI supports it's new joiners throughout the on-boarding process, but also further into their careers, offering support and clear frameworks on their promotion process and career development plans.

Think about what CGI are looking for and if that is aligned with where you want to take you career before applying. Ensure that you bring the 'real you' to assessment days and just be yourself (it's not a test, it's just to see if you're the right fit for us, and we're the right fit for you). Learn some IT skills before applying - CGI love to see someone who is resourceful and takes the initiative to learn key skills in their own accord.