Software Engineer Review

As a software engineer apprentice; only being in the role in the actual business for about 4 months has meant that I haven't had too much exposure to any sort of 'real work' a lot of the work has been entry points to various different languages such as Java, Python, JavaScript, CSS and HTML. However, my role at the moment is to try and solve errors and rectify them in Java, there is quite minimal interactions with customers however there are daily stand ups with team I'm in with a stand up including external people in the mid week. Responsibilities is to communicate and document changes I've made in the work provided, that is in ticket form.

Prior to starting the apprenticeship my coding skills were basically none existent, in my mid teens I dabbled in a bit of front end coding however that was the extent to my exposure to it. However, by coming into the role with enthusiasm and hunger to acquire knowledge and new skills I feel I have over time touched a lot of subjects/ languages/ topics that are related with the work here at BAE. For example, my training that I recently completed consisted of learning C# fundamentals, software methodologies and Java fundamentals which were all accessed on at the end of the course. Other things I have learnt in the business place is how to use SQL, basics of Python and understanding what Git is and why engineers use it.

The apprenticeship has been good for meeting new people, learning about the office environment, learning new skills in both communication and knowledge base, improving my general confidence out in public as well as in a workplace and creating good structure in my life enabling me to get things done. However, at the start of the apprenticeship and even a few months in I have found myself feeling very out of depth due to my inexperience with code which honestly was not enjoyable but I feel as an apprentice that's part of the journey even if some of the others apprentices haven't felt that way; an apprenticeship, ultimately, is about learning.

So far the apprenticeship has been a little unorganised in the workplace, externally as in the training it has been exceptional, both organised and executed with great substance and quality. However, in the workplace at times as an apprentice group I have personally felt we have been a bit of an after thought at times and due to having things been sprung quite immediately to other teams has meant we cannot get straight into things and I feel like we have lingered around the office a few times rather than being assigned to something straight away with the acknowledgment of other teams. Consequently, feedback about this has already been given and changes have already happened, so its refreshing to see such responsiveness to feedback and at the moment I'm in a team learning a lot of new things and I'd definitely say that I'm in quite a happy position.

We have received quite a small amount of support from our co-ordinated person, partly due to the person being out of office a lot when we have been here but also we just haven't had many small meetings or many 1 to 1 talks on we feel things have been going I can only recall doing that once.

Its hard to fault our training provider Estio as they have been fantastic so far and have even queried how we've been finding things in the workplace which has lead them to get involved on potentially rectifying things. Throughout the training Adam our trainer was very supportive and I did ask him what I should do to try an consolidate my learning so I can give myself the best chance of passing the exam at the end of the course and he provided some great tips and support throughout the 5 week training.

The 5 week training has really helped me feel a lot more confident and happier when coming to the workplace to perform. This is because the 5 weeks allowed me to have a base of knowledge which was extremely important to have when working in my role. So I feel I now can grasp things at least a little bit when speaking to senior people in teams and in stand ups as the terminology I learnt is used a lot in the business.

Yes, there are a lot of different activities to get involved with from 5 a side to skiing, rock climbing to robot creating. I personally have been playing week in week out for the 5 a side team we have set up and its allowed me to feel even more comfortable in the office as I will have chats with more people when passing by them through the office creating a more comfortable feeling for myself as I feel more settled in.

Yes

Despite things been done at times in an unorganised fashion as a business its very positive and the feeling in the office is a positive environment to be in, everyone is respectful, polite and you feel accepted. I feel there is also a lot of opportunity to grow into different roles and job growth is definitely very probable in this business as its working in a very dynamic market there is a lot of opportunity to bring diverse skills to expand and grow.

I believe BAE Systems look for individuals that are positive and are always wanting to grow and become a better version of themselves everyday, as long as you have the correct attitude to grow and they can see you really have a passion for the role you are applying for or being interviewed for; they will see it as being pleasantly refreshing and would most likely see you as a great fit into the business.