Software Developer Review

Sprint to sprint my job can vary a lot, some weeks I'm developing code for the servers other weeks I'm rebuilding and rewiring racks and doing maintenance on servers. It took me a while to get to a point where I can work semi dependently because my work can be quite complicated: but is is very rewarding and challenging.

I've learned quite a lot about Java programming, building on my existing programming ability. I now have a very rough knowledge of how enterprise servers work. I'm learning all the time about problem solving and being a dev. That said I'm learning pretty much exclusively whilst I'm working: often the courses at FIrebrand aren't at all useful.

I really enjoy some parts: writing code, working with servers, and collaborating with my colleagues. Sometimes my job can be very difficult to the point where it is quite frustrating. Working on writing up projects is something I find quite difficult and often I don't feel very supported in that by Firebrand.

When I joined IBM I was under the impression that there was a pathway that was well mapped and planned, however; because dev roles vary so much there is no one pathway for each apprentice and such it often feels like the plan for my project is being made up as I go along and there is no coherent plan for my apprenticeship.

My employer provides a lot of support to me both in my career. My team and manager are good people and I'm proud to work alongside them. If I need support or more time all I have to do is ask for it, I still have to do my part: but I'm very supported in that.

My training provider organizes courses (which in all honestly have been pretty poor) and chases me up to fill in web forms when they are being inspected, I also get a meeting with a "mentor" every month or so which lasts a few minutes and achieves very little. I receive very little support otherwise. Firebrand has lots of friendly staff who seem to mean well, but on the whole Firebrand has not supported me very well at all.

The qualification I am completing with Firebrand does not fit very well with the work I do in my day job (i.e. the qualification requires me to design and build a UI, my team doesn't make UIs and thus I can't do that) which requires me to mold my work to fit the requirements which can be very tricky. A lot of elements of the qualification are not relevant to modern software development (lots of random management style content, "understanding your business goals" etc). Some sections such as learning Java development are useful but I have learnt more Java in my role than I have off the job with my training provider.

Yes, IBM Hursley is a fantastic workplace and provides many activities and facilities for extra-curriculars, there are dozens of different clubs for all sorts of different things and a large community of young professionals. IBM as an organization has lots of chances for professional networking and education thanks to various early professional communities. IBM is a great place to work as a result of lots of different things like this which it encourages and facilitates.

Yes

IBM is a very big company, it is impossible for me as a software dev working in one tiny part of IBM to tell you that if you get a job in a different part you will enjoy it. That said, IBM Hursley is a great place to work and I my experience working at IBM has been overwhelming positive despite challenges with my training provider.

Don't let the application process frighten you off, it's a long haul but it's worth it. If interviewing for a software dev role make sure you talk about projects that you have worked on in the past (i.e. making a small application in school). If you haven't done any projects: do one or two in the few months you'll be waiting for an assessment center slot after you apply. They don't have to be huge, complicated pieces of work: you just need to show you have an interest in the work.