SDE Apprentice Review

On a day to day basis, my day typically starts with admin tasks (reading and responding to emails and messages), and then I have my daily stand-up (a meeting where you talk about what tasks you intend to do and any blockers you experience). I then spend the rest of my day either programming, testing code, investigating problems in our codebase, writing documentation etc -- just whatever is needed to be done. On uni days (lectures every fortnight during term time and personal learning in between), we'll be taught as an Amazon group the module and work on coursework in the personal study time.

Yes!!! My manager is very accommodating (training is dependant on what your manager is willing to expense but most are very lenient as we are here to learn as much as possible) and I have done many courses, from Machine Learning to Cyber Security. I have developed my programming skills in Java and Python and also learnt how to use different technologies i.e. Kibana.

I love it most days, and the days where I am not loving it as much is when I am stuck on a task and nothing is clicking (this is very rare and when this does happen my team is very accomodating to spending time with me to help me understand). One thing I wish was better is the social life of apprentices, as we are 6 months in and have never had a social thing together, whilst I know other companies do quite a few apprentice socials. The apprentice team are unable to fund anything social for us which is quite sad but understandable.

I think it is very well structured! Before joining, a former apprentice on my team talked about how much she hated QA and how they are really unsupportive, but it seems for my intake that Amazon have held a tight stance on ensuring that QA do everything possible to set us up for success and it really does show. Lectures feel familiar to the lessons I had at 6th form, where slides are condensed and easy to understand, and it is easy to reach out to lecturers for help and guidance. I know this is not universal across QA and hope that this continues for the rest of my programme.

This again is obviously dependent on your manager but I get so much support! From my manager constantly asking if I'm finding the academic side OK, to her also allowing me to take part in courses and conventions to broaden my knowledge; I feel like I have really hit the jackpot! There are also many schemes like dental insurance, medical insurance, cycle to work etc that I have really taken advantage of, but I think this is standard across most companies.

As mentioned above, due to the tight stance Amazon have against QA support is easily accessible, fast and useful. I have only reached out for help a handful of times, but everytime I have it has been extremely useful. We have career councilor whomst you meet with monthly to catch up and make sure that both the academic and work sides are OK, as well as being there to tell you what you could be doing to improve. My career councilor is very friendly and responds very quickly to queries I have.

I think that the qualification isnt that relevant to having the knowledge to be a SWE, but I am glad it is there as if I ever decide to leave Amazon I have this benchmark degree. The content so far has not really been relevant to improving my work, but then again so is every other degree ever.

I don't think so but I haven't really looked. My team does social stuff every monthish.

Yes

Great place to learn and develop skills surrounded by intelligent people who are willing to help you out as much as possible. Also working at a MAANG company is a great way of getting your foot in the door of the technological career world

Make sure software development is your passion, make sure you have done personal projects/extra-curricular activities you can show off and make sure you know a common programming language when applying.