Software Developer Review

I work as a full stack developer, mainly on internal web applications, which enable other employees to do their job easier/more efficiently. I tend to work in JavaScript and Python, but have used other languages too. I also mentor younger apprentices, who are starting the same apprenticeship but a few years below.

I have learned a lot of new skills and developed existing skills during my apprenticeship, however the vast majority of the useful/transferrable/employable knowledge and skills I have learnt throughout my apprenticeship have come from the job role, rather than the university side. The knowledge I have learnt from university has been relatively specific, and not relevant to my role.

I enjoy the job role, I learn a lot of things and have chance every day to use them. These make me more employable and also I enjoy the challenges I am set each day. I think I learn a new thing every day. However, I have not enjoyed the university part of the apprenticeship. The knowledge has not been relevant and I don't feel the assessments challenge me in the right way - the challenges seem to be being able to write as an academic, rather than learning useful technologies and transferrable skills.

I was promised 6-monthly rotations, so I would get a broad range of skills and understanding of the business. That did not happen, I had to really push to change from my initial place, but I'm glad I did. After that, I'm glad I stayed in this role as I have learned a lot. The University course does not seem relevant to my role, or even being a software developer. The odd module is useful, but on the whole it seems too vague and general.

I get sufficient time to work on my assignments during my apprenticeship. The skills I have learned at work have been useful to my university course (note: not the other way around). If I am running up to a deadline at university, it is expected that I can take more time to work on the university side for that week.

It varies between lecturer/module. Some are very forthcoming with information and really push for us setting up meetings with them to help us with the assignment, which is great. Others do not, even if the assessment brief is vague. I sometimes struggle to work out what the assignment is testing.

The content of the qualification has not been helpful to my role, and I doubt it will be for future roles too. The only benefit of this qualification I feel is that I now have the 'degree' checkbox on my CV ticked. I am grateful I haven't paid for the course myself.

Yes, our team organises a few things to do occasionally, which is quite nice, including the occasional work trip to the other offices. The other offices (such as London and Birmingham) seem to be much nicer than the Ipswich one, and there seems to be far more opportunities there too.

Yes

It is a very good place to learn and the culture seems to be nice (in my experience). I don't see myself staying at BT for lots of years, especially as a software engineer, as the opportunities seem somewhat limited and progression only seems to be into management rather than technology-based.

Apply early. I found the video interview daunting, but the questions they ask are very generic and nothing to worry about. I was rejected 2 times, and got the apprenticeship on my third attempt, so don't be disheartened if you fail the first time! If you're local, it's a good place to work