Digital Degree Apprentice Review

3 Years are spent studying computer science at the University of Birmingham, including seminars, lectures etc. In the summer of first year we had a summer placement in the company, placement year (sandwich year) is also spent here. Once graduated, we work at the company for a minimum of two years afterwards. You get the chance to join one of the many teams, performing tasks such as Edexcel organisation, presentations etc. Some of the teams include being a digital specialist, UX designer, analytics specialist.

There was a specific focus on working on projects, I was taught how to start and end a project with specific focus on the design. I learned how to design a fictional project, from initial concepts, wireframes, prototypes, user testing and presentations. I used programs and software for the first time year including Axure RP and Sketch, which are wireframing and prototyping tools. This therefore meant we were given experience with macbooks also. We developed our communication skills in meetings and the multiple presentations.

I enjoyed this program as it gave the full freedom to go to university and study computer science, especially at the university of Birmingham. This allowed us to make friends with my peer group, similarly it gave us the confidence to start university as we also had our peer group of Vodafone who we already friends with. This allowed us to have full confidence over our placements and where we would be after university and hence caused much less stress.

The structure of the program was very clear from the start as it was highlighted in our contract. As stated. We go to university for 4 years, however the first summer we have a placement in Vodafone. Similarly, for the placement (sandwich) year we perform this at Vodafone. After the University course we will work for the company for 2 extra years. This was all clear and understood, we received frequent emails, updates and newsletters.

We receive monthly newsletters about the company, receiving updates over what the company is working on, struggling with or is proud of. Our manager is always available to answer questions and similarly organises meetings throughout the terms at university and the placements. In these meetings we discuss everything bothering us, what we're nervous about and also what to expect. What's great is before the meeting we set ourselves goals, discuss our last goals, and describe activities.

We receive a lot of support since it is a degree apprenticeship meaning we had the benefit of both the university and Vodafone. At university we had multiple areas available to support us and all members of staff's emails were accessible. At work we perform in strong teams, have so called buddies who contact us to have meetings and casual chats to make us comfortable and also have access to someone in HR at all times.

My qualifications from this degree apprenticeship has been very important to my goals as it's pushed me so much further in technology. It teaches both the theoretical and practical sides and this is emphasized by being able to have placements every year. Similarly, it has introduced me to such a wide variety of areas of technology which I hadn't had the opportunity yet to fully delve into such as AI, advanced mathematical modelling and functional programming.

At Newbury, the HQ of Vodafone, there are many groups and facilities - the Vodafone hq is such like a university campus also offering a gym and hairdressers. The London office offers much less features and societies, simply because it is a much smaller office. The London office does still have a community vibe and even has table tennis tables featured. I was invited to multiple team lunches here and activities in my teams such as bowling.

Yes

Vodafone have been very generous offering this program by both employing us as employees and apprentices but also by funding our degree. The work itself is IT which I'm highly interested in, so I'm grateful for this experience and the various teams on offer. Since it is such a large, multinational company there are plenty of opportunities, chances for you to switch team and work between teams to find out what you're interested in.

Highlight your interest in technology and don't be shy if you have specific interests even in concepts such as AI or videogames which may not be directly used by the company. It's better to show your genuine individual interest and fascination in university technology. Also showcase why you wanted to go to university, what have you done before that made you interested in this field, even if this is just recreational, and if possible show what projects you've worked on.