Test Anaylst Review

Testing applications using an automation package built up of Java and Cucumber code, ad-hoc testing, user acceptance testing and sometimes some performance testing. Once a week we attend university throughout the year. Liaise with the business for sign off on any testing that is carried out. Testing can include changes that were due to come in for a release as well as any emergency changes and errors found once a release has gone into production.

Developed coding skills in Java and gained new skills in querying SQL databases. I have learnt the way in which testing can be tracked using tools like JIRA to create tests and test plans and how to track defects which are blocking testing by using burndown charts created in excel spreadsheets. I have learnt a lot of project planning and design skills (e.g. use cases, activity diagram etc) from work completed at our university.

I enjoy my program a lot as I find being out of work once a week a good balance between learning and working without feeling I am getting too much or not enough exposure of either. I know understand how much university work and workplace work can differ and glad I am getting experience in both. Being able to learn while you earn is a lot more rewarding than studying full time with an unrelated part time job.

From the day you start you are buddied up with an apprentice in one of the years above and someone in your team - which allows you to get help and experience across the business and from people at different stages in your career as well as people who have been through it before. There is also a lot of support from your own team, line managers, the apprenticeship time and early careers support set up by people in the business.

Yes

Being able to work and study at the same time gives valuable experience and a lot more than you would get from studying alone. Barclays has a very big technology presence and there is always opportunity to explore new areas/teams within the business. They provide a lot of support and get opportunities via their citizenship activities to allow you to meet people who you don't usually work with and do some work for charity with them.

Explore all the apprenticeship options they have - it is not just limited to technology, they offer apprenticeships in other business areas so find the one that is best for you! Take time with your application and if you can, look up the entry requirements before you sit your exams so you know what you need to work towards. The onboarding process isn't as stressful as you may think and is a lot more enjoyable than most I have done before, so enjoy it as this will show your best qualities and make you a more desirable candidate.