Software Developer Review

My role as a software developer is to develop code required to help my team meet their goals and objectives on a daily basis. It involves a lot of team work and communication in order to provide the best quality software possible. We have daily meetings with the team to discuss what we have been doing and what we plan to do. Overall my role involves a lot of communication and team work to help develop good quality software for the customer.

Before starting my apprenticeship with CGI I only had limited coding knowledge in C++ and python that I had learnt in school and college, in my first 7 months of working at CGI I have learnt java and am confident to complete tasks on my own to a high standard. I have also been offered to go on java specific training courses as well as others to help me improve my skills in my role. I have also improved my people and communication skills which I struggled with in the past due to the constant interaction I have on a day to day basis.

I really enjoy the project that I am on now and all my colleagues and team members are really friendly, so it didn't take me long to feel settled. They are also really patient and supportive of my development and take time to go through anything I am struggling on no matter how often I ask for it. It is well above my expectations on what I expected and this has really helped me to enjoy it more than I thought I would.

Overall I would say my programme is very well structured, we had two introduction days in the main office in Reading which were really helpful in getting us set up and used to the company's routine, after that we started at our base location with our new teams, where I was given further help and guidance by my buddy, who is always available if I need help with anything on my project. I was then introduced to my Uni mentor who is someone who has completed the programme in the past so they are very helpful when it comes to giving feedback on assignments. The only downside however is the distance I have to travel to go to Uni in Winchester on a Monday, it takes me 2 hrs each way which overall makes it around a 17hr day in total, also CGI don't cover the expenses when other company's do, but apart from that my apprenticeship is very well structured and organised.

Both my manager and mentor are very supportive of my development in work and my grades at Uni, they are always around if I need a chat or ask advice. In terms of accessibility support they are also very supportive, I have dyslexia and dysgraphia and they have supplied me with different software that I requested to help me and make my work and Uni life easier.

I receive a lot of support from my mentor and buddy when it comes to helping review and improving my assignment that go towards my qualification. I have weekly mentor catch up meetings where we go through all the work that I have been given to see were I am and where I need to improve, we also go through how I am finding work generally and if there are any issues, they are more than happy to help sort them out. Overall I enjoy Uni apart from the long day, but that can't really be helped!

I think that this is the other way round for me, the things I learn while working have helped me in my Uni work and course work, as I usually have learnt what I'm doing at Uni already at work. This really helps me in my assignments and allows me to get a higher grade than I would have just being at Uni. I mainly think this is the case as the industry is moving faster than the uni can teach, so I'm learning most things at work before I do at uni!

CGI haves a Sports and Social club (SSC) which hosts events run by CGI's members, some events that I have taken part in so far are airsoft, go-karting, a pub quiz and bowling, however there are a wide range of activities that are all discounted for members, there are also activity's weekly, for example in leatherhead there is a basketball session every Friday lunch time, but other sports include badminton, yoga and many others.

Yes

In my experience I have been welcomed with open arms in to what feels like a big family, I have had all the help and support I need to get me up and running and working to my full potential in work and allowing me to achieve the best grade possible in Uni.

The application process is straight forward and easy to follow, the assessment days give you a real taste in to what the company is like and allows you to consider if it's right for you, the interviewers are nice and understanding of any nerves you may have, once you have been offered the job, you are given an introduction that sets you up for working in the company and it also gives you a lot of experience and opportunities to expand and widen your knowledge.