junior technical architect Review

I work as a Junior Technical Architect, I help out with the new build that is being created for the client and get involved in both the business and technical side of the role. By having this flexibility I am able to understand what I excel at and what things I don't want to get involved with again. I am in a big Programme however this splits into many different projects in which smaller teams work together, right now I work with about a team of 10 people who vary in age which allows me to learn off the people around me.

After my 3 years on at Winchester university whilst working for CGI I gained my 2:1 in Information Systems Management, and an Apprenticeship with QA run along side the course at Winchester. Whilst being in CGI I have been on a few courses which have looked at different skills that need to be worked on such as my presentation skills etc. But just by being in a diverse team allows you to pick up skills which you wouldn't be able to do by just attending lectures at university.

My programme covered a lot of different aspects in the university side as I completed the technical degree which also covered a lot of business aspects. I found having work and university together a good thing as it allowed me to use what I had picked up in uni in my day to day working environment. It was harder than I thought it would be to balance having a social life, uni and work but CGI have many young people varying from the different apprenticeship schemes and Uni courses which allows the students all to bond over something in common.

Being young in the company is a good thing as people like to take you under their wing and teach you. Managers also like to let you experience different kinds of work to allow you to find your area. at the beginning the jobs you are given are easy however you have to prove that you are capable of taking on more responsibility for you to progress

There is support throughout the programme and if you aren't keeping up to the standard of grade they require they put you on a performance improving program which just gives you more individual support and focus on the reasons why you may not be reaching the grades they want. The induction was a week long in CGI which allowed me and my year to bond so you don't go into the work place not knowing anyone

it mainly depended on whether you reached out for the support. If it was obvious that your grades were slipping then CGI would get involved but if you had any problems it would be the weekly calls with your mentor who would be able to help you.

This all depends on how much you talk to your manager, I was lucky to get a manager who really gave me support during work and also during my uni life, the stress when it came to the dissertation was massive and it was nice to have the support from work who gave me time to work on it and to give me advice when I was in need. But if you don't open up to people at work it may be a struggle to gain the support you need whilst completing the course

Whilst on the Scheme your pay will go up a certain amount each year and bonuses will be on top. I feel it is a good amount of money and certainly if this is your first full time job. CGI do give you expenses which also help with any extra travel you would have to do in your role and they are good with getting people hotels if the travel is too much. Many people do have to relocate to a base office however CGI prepare you for this and the salary is sufficient enough to have a social life as well as rent etc.

CGI are always running charity events and events in schools employees can get involved with to raise awareness of these courses. CGI have a good discount scheme meaning you can book activites, holidays, events, or just general day to day things with a discount. CGI also run a sports and social club which runs all over the country getting people involved with many different events. Ranging from a marathon to theatre tickets and theme parks. They are varied and it is only £5 a month to be able to get involved in all these activities, you make your money back!

Yes

It is a great way to start your career whilst also having the money to go and be young at the same time. Other employees love seeing work experience on a CV so CGI offers you 3 years of that, a university degree paid for and a good wage to do with what you want.

If you have the work ethic to want to learn you will be fine in CGI. Interviewers are looking for the person to be themselves and to show that they have something to bring to the company. That doesn't mean you have to be good at coding or be the best at sales but if they can see that you can learn and are willing to get involved they will see that as a mouldable person. CGI bring on a range of personalities from loud people to quieter people, showing that you don't have to be a certain way in the interview to get a spot.