Software Engineer Review

During term time, my time is split three days a week at work and two at University. At work, I work on various software engineering projects within my team. This involves coding, design and infrastructure work. I am also involved in side-projects, such as assisting in the organisation of training sessions for both apprentice cohorts within the firm. At University, my time is split between lectures, labs and tutorial sessions.

I have learnt a significant amount in the time that I have been on the programme. This is both from the training and experience offered by the firm and also the knowledge acquired from University. I joined the programme without a background in software engineering and I am now working on live projects within my team and adding value to my clients.

The programme is very enjoyable. It can can be challenging to balance your time between work, University and also your own social life, however it is very rewarding experience. The team's that I have been in have been very supportive of my training, whether that be on the job, or ensuring that I have time to complete my University work. The programme has stretched my ability, increased my skillsets (both technically and soft skills) and boosted my confidence.

The programme is well organised. Upon joining, I was assigned a manager, buddy and a mentor to assist me at work. Additionally, we have a contact at University, who is able to answer our academic questions. There were some teething problems at the start, however this is expected as I am part of the first year to complete this programme. Overall, I am impressed with what has been offered to date.

The level of support given by the firm is great. There are a broad range of people that I can reach out to for any type of question that I may have. What is a massive benefit, as there is always someone in the office who is an expert in a particular fields. This has helped me both in my career and studies.

Overall this has also been good. As mentioned, there were some teething issues, however these were dealt with and the experience appears to be much smoother for the subsequent years who are on the programme. At University, we have a couple of contacts that we can refer to if we have any questions.

The degree that is offered by the training provider is fundamental to enable me to perform in my role. The content that I learn from my classes provides the core foundation to computer science that helps me to better understand my role and perform at a higher standard. Vice versa, areas that I have been exposed to at work have helped me in my studies.

Goldman Sachs has great internal networks though, so you can attend talks/demonstrations from a broad range of individuals (from celebrities to industry experts). In addition to this, you can get involved in initiatives such as Community Teamworks, to help out at charities that the firm sponsors. There are also sports teams and other business/division wide social events.

Yes

It is a fantastic place to start your career. You will be working for a global brand, who are always current to events in the world. There is a strong push for automation of tasks, with the Technology division being at the core of this. You will have the opportunity to obtain your degree and gain experience from talented individuals simultaneously!

Be open about your experiences and also your passion for Technology. If you get through to the assessment day, then use this an an opportunity to showcase yourself, in addition to finding out more about what the programme has to offer. Don't be afraid to ask questions!