Software Test Engineer Review

I am a software test engineer, and my current role within IBM involves the construction and execution of tests against a bespoke system for our client. Construction involves writing test scripts to verify functionality in use cases that are delivered by development. The execution of these scripts is manual and done against the system by testers such as myself. The majority of the testing I am part of is functional, which includes testing interfaces but also what happens as a result of user actions.

Prior to this apprenticeship I had no testing skills whatsoever therefore these have been developed massively. This is partly due to courses I have undergone as part of my apprenticeship but mostly due to experience gained in my daily job role. I have also gained some automation skills in my spare time, and learnt some web development on another course that I was part of.

I enjoy attending the courses that are mandated as part of the apprenticeship because they always teach me something new. I also enjoy my daily job role however I would like to move into automation after this role because it's a skill that I massively enjoy using and also is more in demand for the future.

It is very well structured with courses set out to attend for the whole two years on average every two months. I also have a monthly meeting with my development coach where we review what I have written about my daily job role and any other experiences that will help to meet my apprenticeship's criteria.

My apprentice manager provides plenty of support with regards to any general problems or questions I have. My task manager could provide more guidance and advice to do with testing, useful resources and knowledge regarding the testing industry. My project manager is very knowledgeable and helps with all the questions I have about the specific project I am on.

My development coach from GKA provides all the support I need with regards to my apprenticeship and the monthly evidence I provide towards completing criteria. He provides me with very clear targets to work towards each month and then document my progress against these. He is also aware of my project and that I might not be able to meet every target set, so he is flexible and allows extra time where necessary should I need to be focused on something else for that period of time.

My qualification doesn't help massively with my role. Initially it was useful to have the introduction to testing from attending apprenticeship courses prior to joining my job role, however since then the skills I have learnt from my apprenticeship haven't been relevant to my job role. The functional testing knowledge that I am gaining through my job role isn't a focus for my apprenticeship standard.

Prior to Covid-19, I attended a couple of professional networking events and a few social activities with coworkers from my job role and also other apprentices. I am aware of sports teams that exist in my location that I could potentially join. Since Covid-19 I have attended some quizzes online and lots of virtual coffee breaks to keep everybody socialising and interacting.

Yes

(I can't see the above question, 9A - it just says "Would you recommend undefined to a friend?". I assume this is referring to GKA or IBM and will answer as so). I would recommend a testing apprenticeship at IBM to a friend because it has been structured well and I have been able to attend a variety of different courses covering different aspects of testing such as automation, functional and mobile app testing. The monthly meetings and targets are also useful to ensure that I complete work regularly towards my apprenticeship, and I think that this works very well.

Make sure that you prepare well for the assessment day and create an engaging, interesting presentation to impress the interviewer. Show off any technical experience that you have and show enthusiasm for it. Don't worry about the group activities at the assessment centre and just be yourself. Everybody within IBM who will be interviewing you or managing the assessment centres is very nice and will happily have a conversation with you and answer your questions.