Infrastructure Analyst Review

I am an infrastructure analyst which essentially just means I work with the Capgemini infrastructure such as servers and networks etc. In my current role I am assisting the build and roll out of a new cloud platform which I will then be supporting. Supplementing this, I also made it clear from the outset that I wanted to pursue a management career and therefore my manager has ensured that I am working on a stream whereby I am also managing a few teams of people in order to try and improve the efficiency of the company through cost savings. My role in this involves me organising regular meetings and ensuring that all of my team members are doing their allocated jobs within the time frame. Finally, thanks to my manager, I am also assisting with some pre-sales work so that in the near future I can also help present to companies in order to bring in more business to the company.

I have both learnt new skills and developed my pre-existing skill base. Before I joined Capgemini I was only vaguely aware of concepts such as the cloud and through my time here I have learnt the ins and outs of how it works and the infrastructure behind it. Although I have always wanted to work in a management capacity I had yet to experience it and so I have learnt and developed the skills to keep people organised, to ensure that work is done and also to deal with people who may be uncooperative at times. This has also improved my confidence as I have had exposure to dealing with people right up to Director level. Importantly, this has developed my communication skills as well which is crucial to being a good manager.

I really enjoy the programme that I am on. I never wanted to go to university due to the fact that I couldn't justify spending so much money and getting into debt when I could be paid to learn and more importantly, get experience. My apprenticeship at Cap has really ticked all the boxes for me in that I am learning on both a technical and management front, I have a healthy bank balance and I'm building up my experience and skill set on a daily basis. There are always new challenges on the horizon and the management team are always keen to push you to your limits to ensure that you are being the best you can be. And if there is ever a time that you need help, need advice or just want to talk to someone, there is an incredibly strong support base that encourages a great sense of community from just an apprentice right up to the top levels.

I feel incredibly valued by Capgemini. It's easy to think that with such a big, global company that you would just be anonymous and lost amongst all the employees. On the contrary, since starting I have constantly been challenged by the work I've been given and have actively worked on live projects. Cap make it clear that everybody is a valuable asset to the company and all the work we do goes towards projects that we can be proud to have been a part of.

The GAP programme (Graduates and Apprentices Programme) is incredibly well organised. Our progamme managers have been behind us from the very start and are constantly striving to make sure that the apprenticeship that we are being offered is the best it can be. The balance between working and learning is excellent and even though the programme is proving to show good results, they are still working hard to bring top universities together with a brilliant learning environment in order to give us the best opportunities possible.

Our learning provide is QA and we always have a lot of support from them if it's needed. We meet on a regular basis with our QA assessor and if we need any assistance outside of these meetings then we can always email them if needed.

I receive a LOT of support from my employer. Being new to a company it is natural to be worried and nervous about speaking to other people in the company, especially those that are higher up the food chain. However, what has been apparent to me from day one is that the sense of community here is incredible, if I have any problems then there is a huge variety of people that I can speak to, and if they can't help me then they always manage to point me in the direction of someone who can. I have exposure to people all the way up the hierarchy and yet they are always happy to help when available.

Fortunately it is only 20-odd miles from door to door when it comes to travelling to work and therefore I don't have an incredibly expensive commute. The salary/package that we receive is great, I came from a lower level apprenticeship elsewhere and was working on the national apprenticeship wage which just wasn't covering my costs. In order to get by I was working 8-6 (including travelling) and then having to work from 6.30-11.30 in the evenings as well. Here at Cap it is entirely different, all of my bills are covered comfortably and I am still able to both save and buy things I want as well. Supplementing this there are so many opportunities for promotion and pay rises further down the line. It's not often that you will be taken quite so seriously as an apprentice and sometimes it can feel like you are just cheap labour, however it is completely different here. I feel valued by the company and my salary reflects that.

We have a great benefits system running at Capgemini that give us so many different opportunities outside of work. There are discounts across numerous different industries, you can get vouchers and assistance with all sorts of things from opticians and dentistry right through to buying a new car or tablets/phones etc.

Yes

I would absolutely recommend Capgemini to a friend and have done so. As I mentioned before, I've always wanted to pursue an apprenticeship route because I didn't want to pay the stupid amounts of money that university requires. Capgemini absolutely ticks all the boxes when it comes to an apprenticeship and other companies look towards us to see how they should structure their own. The opportunity is second to none and you'd be crazy to let it go. Even if you apply and perhaps don't get in you are no worse off at all, however, if you do get in then you have an opportunity like no other and I can safely say that you will not regret it.

The advice that I would give to anyone applying for Capgemini is to be yourself and to be confident. Don't get stuck in the mindset that you 'might not be good enough' because there is such a variety of people that Cap takes on. Even if you've never had any exposure or experience with IT related stuff before, it doesn't mean that you can't join us! So many of my friends had limited experience when they started here yet due to the support from our training provider, our employer and each other we have learnt so much on the way and looking back now I'd have never thought I'd be as comfortable with my job role as I am now. Make sure you research the company a bit to see what it is that we do but don't be afraid to ask your interviewer questions about Cap! It's a good sign to see that you have such an interest in the company! Also, put yourself out there, don't be the shy one in the background, be confident and assertive. When you do a group exercise make sure that you stand out, don't let other people shout you down or ignore your ideas, make sure that you're heard and your opinions are considered. However, there is a thin line between confidence and being cocky so make sure that you're not too pushy! Bare in mind that other peoples opinions are just as important as yours so whilst you want to make sure that yours are heard, give other people a chance to speak to and consider all of the available options! I wish all of you that apply the very best and I speak for all of the apprentices at Capgemini when I say that we look forward to welcoming you into the company!