Software Engineer Review

So, I am a software engineering degree apprentice at Vodafone. On a day to day basis, I attend scrum calls, attend meetings, contribute to projects through helping me developing and producing documentation. I test things that other people have created. I do my apprenticeship studies also. We are expected to help the other colleagues out but also have the freedom of taking responsibility upon ourselves to fulfill tasks our manager has assigned us to do.

I've learnt basics of coding in Java and JavaScript. I have learnt how to use Thingworx to develop IoT solutions. I have developed skills such as communication, leadership and teamwork. I have also been introduced to and developed my skills of adapting, as I was introduced to a workplace environment straight out of A-levels.

I really do enjoy my programme, as the company culture is very friendly and open. They understand that we are there to learn and do not expect us to know everything from the get go. There is a lot of networking and the fellow employees are all very open to getting to know you too and to help you out. It was much better than what I expected of an corporate environment.

In terms of events or just typical things being organised for us apprentices by Vodafone, everything is organised and structured extremely well and the communication is clear. QA is also mostly good, on their part, but some instances have occurred where they have been late with communication. This was when we found out that our module had started, three weeks into the module.

I receive an expected amount of support from my employer. Even if my manager is busy, I have another POC within my team, and the apprenticeship organizer within Vodafone is always open to help us out too. They are all very easy to access. Vodafone also has a very HR team who provide various learning opportunities and help lines for people who need it. So overall, it is a very comfortable and supporting environment.

When working towards my qualifications, I feel i receive a lot of support from my training provider. Our tutors for each module are always open to receiving messages asking for help with material in the module, and although sometimes they are late with replying, we do always receive it eventually. The skills coaches assigned to us are also very efficient as they make sure we stay on track with everything we need to be doing by having calls with us every 6 weeks, but are also open to us scheduling a call with them whenever we need to.

I joined this apprenticeship straight out of A-Levels and did not come with a technological background either. Studying for this qualification has allowed me to understand what goes on in the workplace, develop my skills, understand my career choice more and contribute more in my job role. I especially enjoyed when the first module we did, aligned with what we were doing in the workplace at that time, and this helped me understand what was going on much better.

At Vodafone there are plenty of extra-curricular activities to get involved with. And to be honest, I don't get involved with enough of them. There is a Vodafone gym, there are plenty of professional networking events and dinners that teams have together, there are 5-a-side football teams and workshops that are set up by Vodafone graduates to allow others to network but also learn something new.

Yes

I would recommend Vodafone to a friend who is applying for a degree apprenticeship because the company culture at Vodafone is not what you expect from a work environment at all. Through working in an AGILE SDLC, and just the overall culture, they have created a very open, friendly and efficient environment for people to thrive in.

Make use of the opportunities that they provide you with, share them on you LinkedIn, talk to people and network with them, don't be scared to ask for help as everyone understands that you are there to learn. Coming out of school straight into a work environment might be daunting at first, but just chill out as it is totally not what you expect.