Graduate Level Apprentice Software Developer Review

Depending on the project, I usually develop code and write tests just like any other developer on the team. I also have responsibility to upskill new members from time to time, especially when onboarding them to the same project. Recently I had to deal with client support where I would have direct contact with the client via email/phone to support and help resolve their problems with an application that we have developed.

I have learned many new skills with CGI as I have joined many new and different projects. I have been on a Java based project which dealt with somewhat older technology and also projects with more modern tech that used the MEAN stack. They are always encouraging us to learn more and there are plenty of opportunities to do so.

I do enjoy it but I feel like the career path is a little too strict. People who excel cannot move forward with the career until the graduate program is over as they will always be labelled as a graduate. This puts a ceiling on the individual and can cause a lack of motivation.

I feel that all the team members I work with and immediate team leads/mentors all value and understand me. However, I often do not feel valued by the wider CGI company as mentioned previously due to the ceiling that the graduate apprenticeship program creates. No matter how well I do, I am 'just a graduate'. My team members all value me as an actual developer, but CGI does not recognise this in terms of salaries.

It is not very well organised in my opinion. Every graduate goes a completely different path, for better or worse. I personally was quite lucky and had exposure to many different techs and could learn a lot but some other graduates have been stuck on the same project for years and to them, they have learned very little. I think it is structured unfairly and not everyone is having equal chances to learn and progress. They also expect a lot of self learning at home on top of uni work. For me it is possible, but again, for others, it may be impossible due to their circumstances. It needs to be structured in a more fair and equal way so everyone gets a chance to learn, progress and show others what they are capable of.

The university gives a decent amount of support as expected. The lecturers have always been polite and willing to help and respond to emails fairly quickly. I have never had a problem with any lecturer and the courseworks are mostly well explained. I have no complaints about the university at all.

There is less support from work and the communication between the company and the university is next to non-existent. If I need help however, there are always kind colleagues who are willing to give up their own time to help explain things. It's just that it isn't quite built in - quite often CGI members cannot answer questions about university because they don't have the information since they do not communicate with the university well.

For some people, especially school leavers, it is great but the salary is too static. Even with salary reviews, they really don't differ much. I understand that it may be seen as "unfair" if all graduates were paid completely differently, but it also means that those who excel are not rewarded.

CGI does hold many charity events and STEM events to school visits and career fairs. I believe they have many opportunities outside of work and they advertise them well so that we always hear about them. It is also very easy to participate in the events as long as you express your interest.

Yes

It is a great place to start off a career, especially for those who have just left school. It pays decent and sets you off to a great start with a degree and 4 years worth of experience. If the individual is enthusiastic to learn, then this apprenticeship will definitely help put you on the right path.

It is very important to understand that you will need to put in the extra effort yourself and genuinely be interested in software development. Just doing the minimum (uni and work) is not enough. Actually enjoying coding is very important for this job and it will be really obvious to others.