software developer Review

I work on the retailer website for Autotrader, where auto dealers can upload information about their vehicles and access tools to help them sell more vehicles. Picking up Jira tickets, talking about them with other team members before beginning them, working on them until they are finished, then taking the completed ticket to the test engineers to make any necessary changes.

I've gained a lot of new knowledge, including how to use Angular and Typescript to create things, how the Jira workflow should be used, how to deploy websites using Go pipelines, and pretty much everything I already know about Angular, including how to create components, services, and other things like that using NGRX.

I truly like what I'm learning and doing here at Auto Trader, and I appreciate the support my buddy and the early careers staff give me. I have some doubts about Manchester Digital's capacity for help and direction because it seems there is a lack of clarity on portfolio content and completion, including some confusing and incongruous advise. Unrelated but needed to be said because there is nowhere else to put it: if apprenticeships are open to anyone, please avoid using the term "young people" in your correspondence because it makes me feel excluded.

We had weekly meetings at Auto Trader on Tuesdays where we spent the first year learning the fundamentals of programming before delving deeper into HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and TypeScript. Approximately once a month, Manchester Digital organises BootCamp sessions. Review sessions are also organised by MD, but these have become less frequent.

My employers have been really helpful, offering training sessions, materials, and as much time as we need to learn new things. They have now started holding sessions to assist us with the portfolio component. I should probably start using the early careers and specific apprentice assistance channels that are available to us more.

There appear to have been problems with the support offered by and given by the training provider, which may be related to the change in the standard and/or the staffing issues Manchester Digital appears to be experiencing. Perhaps there are problems with funding? It shouldn't matter to me, but there could be a lot more clarification.

I'll be honest; I'm not sure. I suppose the sizeable wage contribution makes a major difference and is the sole reason an inexperienced developer my age was given a shot, but it's unclear whether the mere idea of a level 4 apprenticeship makes a difference in and of itself. Again, I believe many of my coworkers are unaware that I am an apprentice because of my age.

Yes, sports teams are available, networking opportunities are offered and encouraged, tribe meetings typically include a social component, and even the internet meetings had games to break up the business portions. However, I think they're doing a decent job of attempting to connect people given the conditions. Unfortunately, the Christmas party was postponed because of Covid-related problems, and in-person socialisation has been problematic due to Covid.

Yes

There seem to be chances for advancement, friendly and helpful coworkers, and assistance for learning new skills and even changing career paths. It's a wonderful place to work. The area is wonderful for eating nice food and running errands in town. There is also a fantastic canteen that is reasonably priced.

To be honest, I'm not sure how well I can respond to this. I suppose that prior to the interview process, knowing a little bit about either java or javascript might be helpful, but given how much I struggle in an interview setting, I would never think about giving advice to others.