Associate Software Engineer Review

Performing a variety of development tasks, writing new features, fixing defects, writing automated tests, reviewing test results. Managing a "customer-like" test environment and feeding back any defects found. As well as that, I participate in many "give-back" projects, including maintaining our Makerspace, a wellbeing initiative at IBM to allow IBMers to create their own projects and inventions by providing them with equipment and education.

Learnt many new skills in Agile software development as well as test driven development. I have also gained many skills in the product area that I work in.

The program is very enjoyable and IBM has allowed me to continuously develop my skills and pick up more work to further challenge my skill set. The only downside is issues involving the University of Exeter, which has had some issues over the last couple of years in regards to quality of lectures as well as inconsistent marking. This is something I have discussed with IBM and they are working with the university to resolve these issues.

IBM has been running its degree apprenticeship program for many years and therefore has a very clear structure and organization to the program. You spend 4 days a week in your role and 1 day a week working on your university degree (OTJ Learning)

IBM has been extremely supporting in meeting all my needs, such as giving me extra time to complete my assignments outside of the usual 1 day a week. IBM has also been very accommodating to my mental health needs. I meet with my manager once a week to discuss how I am doing and any issues I am having.

The University of Exeter has been a very mixed experience, and really depends on which lecturer is teaching each module. Some lecturers have been excellent, very engaging and extremely knowledgeable, other lecturers have not been so good. I have just started my Software Engineering specialism modules and the lecturer who has been assigned by the University of Exeter to teach this specialism does not know software engineering as their background is in data analytics. This makes it very difficult to ask complex questions and get satisfactory answers.

Skills learnt from modules taught in the Digital Technology Solutions degree at University of Exeter can immediately be applied in my role at IBM. I have been able to take away knowledge learnt about Agile Development, Project Management methodologies and best practices in writing code and apply this to my role to improve how I write new features into the product I work on. Not all the content taught in the DTS Degree at Exeter is relevant, however that is to be expected in a degree program that is very well-rounded.

I am involved with several activities outside of my role at IBM. I am currently the chair of the Foundation Innovation Community who aim to inspire other apprentices, interns and grads to innovate on their own projects and idea. We run various events to provide the skills and knowledge to effectively innovate. I also manage the Hursley Makerspace, which is a well-being initiative to allow IBMers to create their own projects and inventions by providing them with the tools, equipment and knowledge to be able to do so.

Yes

IBM is an amazing company to work for with an excellent culture. There are many initiatives at IBM to improve your employee experience. Everyone at IBM is super friendly and happy to chat and share their knowledge about anything.

Be yourself, especially at assessment centers. Its important to know that assessment centers are not a competition between you and the other candidates, everyone in your assessment center can pass, it's not a case of only half make it through and the other half don't. Make sure to select a wide range of different roles that you would feel comfortable working in to maximize your chance of matching with an available role.