Application Developer New Associate Review

Due to the nature of the business, my role can vary a lot depending on the project I am assigned to. There are many opportunities to work across different sectors and with different technologies- this aspect of the apprenticeship allows apprentices to gain a wide variety of skills and experience. There are even opportunities to travel (national and international) for work. Colleagues are friendly and I have gone out to team dinners which have been an enjoyable experience. I have had the opportunity to help develop user interface components, develop backend functionality, and carry out PMO tasks. I've been entrusted with responsibilities such as facilitating the daily stand up with the client, capturing requirements and actions during workshops with the client, and completing development tasks by a specified deadline. However, at times I can find myself having no tasks to carry out due to my lack of experience and project time constraints where colleagues would not have the time to provide me with some training.

Through my various developmental tasks at work and modules at uni, I definitely feel that my programming skills have improved drastically; prior to joining this apprenticeship, I already had a foundation in web development/programming but through completing my university modules and tasks at work, I have been able to build upon my existing skills and gain a better understanding of best practices and real world applications. One of the great things about working with Accenture is that, due to the nature of the company, they are always looking to upskill employees. This means that there are A LOT of opportunities for training for a huge variety of skills. There are always informal drop-in session, and Skype sessions for a particular topic, and training courses and certifications listed by the company are paid for by the company. In fact, I will be attending a 5-day Salesforce administration course in June in which I will then apply the skills learned to take the Salesforce administration exam to get certified!

I enjoy the programme a lot because of all the opportunities that I have been given, and all the activities I have the chance to get involved in. This aspect of the programme has definitely met my expectations, if not, surpassed it. However, it can be difficult to get involved in projects- particularly technical roles. This is due to the lack of skills/experience apprentices tend to have, and many projects are not so willing to take in someone that they will have to upskill. My days at university are enjoyable and I feel like I am learning a lot and making progress. Module content is definitely applicable to the real world and I have experienced first-hand, the things that I have learnt as part of my course, being applied within the business. One aspect of the company I do not enjoy as much is that it is heavily focused on networking with other people. This is a must if you want to get involved in exciting projects and progress within the company. Company events tend to be centered around networking. Although, colleagues do tend to be approachable; and if you're a charismatic individual, you'll definitely fit in!

Hard work and effort is definitely recognised by your team members, including your manager. I find that I am often thanked for the things that I have done, even if it is just something small. Colleagues are very considerate and are often understanding of your circumstances/position- this is especially important as an apprentice as no one will look down on you for not being able to do something, but instead will aid in your learning. It is common for projects to celebrate things such as a successful deployment or phase by going out for a team dinner or even doing activities (such as go karting) as a team, which is an enjoyable experience.

Apprentices start off with a 2-day induction and orientation which involves an introduction to the company and entails some details of the apprenticeship. It is also an opportunity to get to know your fellow apprentices. After the induction, we were required to attend a 2 week Java bootcamp where we were taught the basics of object-oriented programming and Java. This was effective for me as I already had knowledge of the fundamentals, but proved to be difficult for those who had no prior knowledge. Level 4 apprentices attend university every Monday on day release where we attend lectures and tutorials as part of modules being taught for the term. There are also a couple of 2 week block training sessions in which we are taught a whole module within that time and will complete the exam at the end of the 2 weeks- this can be quite intensive. The programme has been restructured slightly a few times based on feedback from apprentices, so it is being improved.

The university allocates an academic advisor to different groups of students. The academic advisor is a point of contact if you're experiencing any difficulties that may impact your performance on the course, and will also help you to set targets. Apprentices are free to actively provide feedback on the course, and changes are actively being made to improve the course based on the feedback. Lecturers are always willing to answer any questions or provide clarification if approached after a lecture. Students are also free to send an email/post on the forum to seek guidance on module content.

There are many sources of support within Accenture. Apprentices have a single point of contact for HR, and can contact the apprenticeship supervisor regarding any issues related to the programme. There are also apprentice ambassadors to provide additional support and guidance, particularly personal development and apprenticeship support. Each individual will have a career counselor assigned to them. A career counselor will act as a mentor and can provide advice regarding progression within Accenture. They will contact you on a regular basis to receive updates on your progress. A talent fulfillment specialist will help to find you a role on a project that is suited to you, or provide you with guidance as you try to find your own role.

The apprentice salary was adjusted twice since I started the programme though I am pleased to say the salary is a considerable amount more than what I was initially expecting. It is by no means enough to live alone in London (maybe a shared flat) but it is sufficient to pay for your own travel costs and any other expenses you may have. However the salary does increase each year of the apprenticeship so there is a sense of progression as you gain more experience. There are also a range of employee benefits such as pension and health insurance which you get the option of opting in to.

There are frequent company events and opportunities to network with other colleagues outside of working hours. Various apprentice only events are also held to give the opportunity to mingle with all other apprentices. Every employee gets 3 days a year to use for volunteering/charity work of your choosing. As a student, you will have the opportunity to join clubs at your university and get involved with any extra-curricular activities. There are also opportunities to help organise company events and get involved with various activities outside of your project role.

Yes

It is a great place to start your career due to the huge amount of opportunities to gain experience in a variety of sectors and technologies, and the availability of training sessions and certifications. You will have the chance to explore different areas and gain an idea of which direction you'd like to go in, and what you would like to specialise in. There are many sources of support for an apprentice and your development is of high priority. Your feedback will genuinely be taken on board and you will see changes based on feedback. If you are a social person, you will fit right into the company culture as it is all about networking!

Only apply to this apprenticeship if you have a genuine interest in working with technology. If you lack the interest, you may find it difficult to cope with the university modules. To add to the latter, you should be prepared to manage your time effectively as you will have to balance work, life, and study- and if you don't have an interest in technology, you may find it especially difficult to cope. During the interview and application process, act like yourself and express your genuine interest in technology- giving examples of activities that you've involved yourself in which demonstrates this interest. Prepare examples where you have demonstrated competency skills; particularly, time management and teamwork. Remember that the interviewer is a person just like you, they just want to have a normal conversation with you to get an idea of your suitability for the programme and company!