Structured products analyst & programmer Review

Working within Barclays investment bank to analyze the business' requirements for their online structured products pricing tools and to put these in to practise by programming in both Python and Java. Day to day, I write scripts to test aspects of Barclays' systems and also implement the functionality of online applications through programming in the above languages. I work with other business analysts to validate the systems' requirements and to ensure that what is produced is what the business wanted. I also work with other programmers to learn more about programming and to implement and deploy to Barclays testing servers small pieces of the system for testing.

Before starting at Barclays, I knew only a few basics about programming in Java but now I know a lot more about this and have also learned the basics of another language, Python. Through the university's training, I have also learned a lot about web development and writing HTML, CSS, PHP and JavaScript. I've also learned a lot about the software development lifecycle, especially the importance of testing.

Overall, I have enjoyed the programme. The university's teaching and training so far has been very engaging and beneficial for me in my daily work and I've enjoyed applying what I've learned at university in the workplace. I have had a kind and understanding manager and the people around me have always been kind and willing to help. At times, however, I have had protracted periods of not being given anything to do at work, which is boring and also makes me feel a bit useless and left out, which is not so enjoyable.

The university study is exceedingly well organised and structured - no complaints. The university knows the exact schedule and they administer it well. From the point of view of the work - not so much. There are a set of Barclays objectives which feel a bit pointless - in the first year, I don't feel I have been able to learn enough to do them properly and they feel like a box ticking exercise just to make up the hours of non-work activity that an apprenticeship requires. Nobody even looks at what we produce. Things are typically left to the last minute - eg. we get given arrangements for our residential weeks at the university just days before they're due to start. We even started university late because Barclays were behind in the organisation. My manager didn't produce a learning development plan as he was meant to for me, which has led to a lack of direction for me. As previously mentioned, I sadly spend a lot of time at work doing very little because I am not given any work to do. There's a lot of hype in the beginning at the induction about a "well structured programme" with an extensive support network of people - it leads you in to believing that your manager will be raring to go and have a plan for your development (and work for you to do) but it just hasn't been the case for me.

Admittedly, if I had a serious problem, I would feel confident that I would be supported. Barclays take mental and physical health well-being extremely seriously and are more than prepared to interact with the university on your behalf if you're having issues with something like the intensity of the study. Regular meetings are arranged between an "Apprenticeship coach" and yourself and also the coach and your cohort and so there is ample opportunity to voice concerns. When my manager does give me work to do, he is very kind and gives me plenty of time to do it and he's always prepared to give me more help/tips if necessary.

Within this first year at university, I haven't had too much need to ask for too much help. Learning remotely does however bring challenges - the primary method of communication between us and the tutors in charge of the course is email, which is not an ideal method of communication for discussing technical matters. Emails are not always answered promptly. There does seem to be an expectation that you do need to just get on with it and only ask questions occasionally if you're really stuck. We haven't had regular tutorials surrounding the course material or anything like that. However, the support received for a module we did which wasn't online but was delivered face to face in a series of workshops was fantastic - for this particular module, the tutor went above and beyond to explain the material and the assessments in great detail and offered one to one sessions with any of us that needed it.

The qualification has really been quite essential in helping me to perform better in the role. My role is programming and technology heavy and without the intensive introduction to Java programming and software engineering that we had, I wouldn't have been anywhere near as useful in the workplace to my manager. The qualification has helped to paint a lot of important context for my role, which my manager and colleagues would never have had the time to explain.

These opportunities do exist, of course depending which team you are in. I have been invited to after-work drinks on a number of occasions and I heard about another apprentice who was invited to play football with his manager and other colleagues. From time to time, there is the odd professional networking event which you can go to to - typically a talk from someone high up in the business about their career journey. You can listen to the talk and then talk to the speaker and the other attendees to get tips on moving forward in your own career if you wish. Barclays puts a big emphasis on "Citizenship" activities and you are encouraged to volunteer to maybe go to a school and tell others about the apprenticeship scheme or even do something like set up a collection for unwanted coats from your colleagues to give to homeless shelters in the winter.

Yes

Although there are some negatives, working for Barclays is still a massive opportunity and the experience will look very good on your CV. I hope that with some cajoling and in time, I will eventually be able to pick up more work and responsibility as I progress through the degree and it is good that Barclays will hire you automatically if you are fulfilling your role and have successfully completed the degree at the end. Other companies sometimes make you re-apply at the end of the apprenticeship for a vacancy but Barclays doesn't do that. The degree is tailor made and from a very reputable institution and Barclays pay for it all. The tasks that I have been given have been moderately exciting and I love the feel of being able to contribute to the team's efforts - there is a good team vibe at Barclays.

Barclays place significant value on people respecting one another's contributions so it may be a good idea not to monopolise the conversation in group activities in the assessment center. You should be prepared to put in a significant amount of effort outside of work hours, including on weekends, to stay on top of the university work. As I have learned, the work may not necessarily be as well structured as you might imagine and it may be necessary, depending on the manager you have and the area you're in, to prompt them to get you involved in tasks that you would like to be involved in (eg. linked to your university training). Normally no matter how complex the area, they can think of a simple way to ease you in.