Software engineer Review

I will either work from home or in the office with my roles in both locations being similar. I respond regularly with my manager verbally and through email to update them with my progress and any problems. My day can vary quite considerably depending on the task I'm doing such as programming a new feature, fixing a bug or creating unit tests

I have learnt a variety of new skills, especially in regards to programming as I have learnt a number of different languages such a python, c#, c++ and JavaScript. I have also developed other skills such as my English skills doing my diploma and writing professionals emails to my boss and others in my team.

I do enjoy my programme during my time completing it so far. I have learnt a lot of different skills and been involved in lots of different interesting tasks. Some downsides are that the university quality is sometimes questionable with lots of errors and mistakes on a weekly basis, the diploma also is a struggle due to the large volume of work expected from us on top of our university and day to day work.

I would say for the most part it has been well structured with regular communication from team leads such as Waqar and how the different placements are organised to cater towards the level expected of an apprentice. Some issues experienced with organisation was when starting where there was little communication and also to begin with in my first year there was very little clear explanation of how the level 4 works.

I now receive a good level of support from my skills coach who provides a regular stream of feedback on my level 4 diploma work which I upload which allows me to make the appropriate changes and get the competencies ticked off quickly. My manager provides great support for my day to day work and is a good knowledge base to ask questions or gain contact to help.

My university professors are a mixed bag with some of them being quick and helpful with the support they provide in person for assignments and revision. However some are difficult to get hold of on online methods such as Microsoft teams which makes it more challenging to complete assignments to the assignments they set leading to the possibility of worse marks at no fault of our own.

I do believe that modules I complete are useful in helping me in my day to day role as there has be a number of times where topics I have learnt in university have come up in my work tasks and so have let me complete them quicker. There are parts of university work however that I feel I already knew or aren’t really relevant and so won’t be used at work.

There are some stretch activities which involve additional activities such as visits and helping out with events for charity etc. It is disappointing there aren’t more extra circular activities to get involved in like 5 aside teams which I have had to set up myself which adds more of a hassle rather than there being one already provided.

Yes

It is a company where I feel well looked after and a valued member even as apprentice. There are so many different roles someone could do here so you are not just limited to say doing engineering as some may think outside the company. They are pay a competitive wage which is also a bonus.

Make sure you show a genuine interest in the company and do your research on the company products and the actual role you are applying for before the interview as this will provide you a head start against many other candidates. Having interests and hobbies is also important as it gives you additional topics to discuss in your application and interview.