Test Analyst Review

I work as a software test analyst. I work as part of a test automation support team for a company testing function/department located on a client project/account. I help develop in-house tools & resources to assist ourselves and other testing teams with meeting their goals for automation testing & ultimately improve these automated capabilities which we offer to our clients.

Absolutely, I've developed myself massively both through my working role & through my university studies inter-linked with this apprenticeship. One of the biggest developments which I have made personally is my general programming ability, particularly in relation to using the Java programming language which I had no prior experience of before joining.

I find the work interesting, both in my role and from my University studies. Now that I have got further into the program, it is a lot of work and I've found it difficult to try and balance work/life/Uni all together on a day-to-day basis. I do recognize how worthwhile the programme is though & the benefit which I gain from putting in this level of work to complete the course & do well in my role.

I think the organization is pretty standard and about what I expect from such a programme. I think internally on the side of my job/working role, there should be more awareness spread amongst regular employees about the apprentices actually within the company and what they do on a day-to-day basis, although the apprenticeship community itself within the company I think is extremely strong & passionate. More awareness can be made still surrounding the off-the-job training aspect connected with the apprenticeship as well, but support and improvements have been made over the last year or so related to this.

The only thing I would like to see improved & made aware of more is the off-the-job training aspect which all degree apprentices need to consider whilst completing the programme, and I think some regular employees/managers don't fully understand exactly what this is, why it's important for us and why exactly we need to dedicate time toward this. I think maybe a standardized policy or process (or something) needs to be put in place to help with supporting apprentices about this aspect of the apprenticeship and raising some more awareness.

The university does provide a variety of support to us, but I think that sometimes the actual content and training material itself can be lacking, with some modules & pieces of content feeling irrelevant toward our career path. I've also had issues in the past with using the recommended tools/software which we are provided with for completing the training & it seems to be a bit of a grey area in terms of what we can do to avoid/improve this.

I think that the overall value of what I am learning towards completing my degree/qualification is useful and is improving my personal ability, knowledge & awareness on a regular basis (which I would not have had otherwise). I believe that when you get into the modules which come after the first year of the programme, they tend to be more valuable in either being directly or indirectly connected to my working role itself & I've started to find them becoming slightly more interesting and engaging as I progress through the programme.

Yes, I think especially due to the covid-19 pandemic, lots of virtual channels/teams/groups/communities have been created and continued to connect a variety of different individuals from all over the place. Lots of virtual activities have come about, but also in-person events now being organized with the lifting of restrictions and with people feeling like they can get together again. I guess the only thing I would say is maybe the awareness of some of these groups could be expressed amongst people more for awareness and more encouragement from people to tell others to join/go for an activity.

Yes

I've found it to be an overall challenging but enjoyable experience. I've learnt so much during my time on the programme and with meeting people through/with the company, people who I wouldn't have met otherwise. I now have a clearer career path and idea and where I want to go, whereas I did not have this before joining Capgemini, & I've had support along the whole way in providing me the capabilities to further develop myself.

Make sure to be aware and recognize the 7 values which the Capgemini holds, as I find these to be extremely valuable and demonstrated day-in & day-out through my role. Don't be afraid to take any opportunity which comes to you, use the opportunity to further develop yourself and find your own new paths. I would say overall that taking charge of yourself & having an independent initiative to do things and share ideas is crucial, regardless of what your current level of understanding/expertise are.