Application Development New Associate (Software Engineering) Review

Within Accenture there is not a defined role that an Apprentice is expected to move into. Instead, Apprentices are able to apply, in the same way anyone else would, to any role they feel they are interested in or would like to learn more about. On my current project, I work on the Solution Architecture team so my role encompasses ensuring all the solutions are correctly documented, as well as ensuring that if there are any gaps or errors in the solution that these are resolved. I work very much on the same level as everybody else on my project, not a tea bringer!

Even from the very beginning of my time at Accenture I got alot of training, when I and the other apprentices started we were all at bootcamp for an entire month where we got taught alot of things; Java, HTML, CSS, C#, C++, JS and much more. We also had subject matter experts in to teach us about other topic areas so we developed our existing knowledge.

I genuinely love my job, my work is a balance of both learning at University and working on project so I never really get bored as i'm always on the move. The company culture is so people focused that you never feel like you meet someone who doesn't share the same sense of ecstacy about the work we do. If anything it overexceeded my expectations by a long shot.

There is alot of internal recognition from managers, leadership and just about everyone I've met which has been lovely and has meant that I feel I'm worth having around. External recognition is also nice from both clients and the schools/colleges I have worked with, as these have had alot of appreciation for my view of the apprenticeship schemes.

Induction and training has been structured well with specific timeframes being allocated for different tasks etc. The support systems need a bit of work however they are not bad by any means.

The support system in place from Manchester Metropolitan University has been great and throughout all of my time there I have felt very comfortable to reach out (to both the tutors and the Employee liaisons that i've been assigned to). Everyone at University is happy to help and it makes the entire experience much more enjoyable.

As I'm part of a very small start group in a new location, I sometimes feel like the support network here isn't anywhere near as good as it is elsewhere. The support on project is great and I get along with my manager here so I'm lucky that I can ask any questions I have to the team here, but if i wasn't in this position then I feel like I may have been left in the dark.

I'd like to think that my Salary is fair considering that all of my University costs are paid for by Accenture and if I had to travel up and down the country those costs would be covered too (Hotels and transport). However I do sometimes wish it was higher because when I'm doing activities with work and they're self paid I feel that its a much bigger cost to me than higher up people who make more.

There has actually been a lot more of an opportunity to do things outside of work than i ever thought there would be. Volunteering opportunities have been vast, with just a couple of examples being Girls in STEM and Industrial Cadets. The team I work with also often does stuff that's not just volunteering; going out for meals, drinks and activities like bouldering and trampolining, all of which gives a chance to mix and become closer friends.

Yes

I have loved and continue to love every moment and opportunity I am graced with :)

The application process consists of an application using a CV/Cover Letter, an online interview and an assessment centre. In all of these, it's really important to show your personal interest to learn and develop. Although you may think talking about knowing lots of things would put you at an advantage, as long as Accenture can see that you have the ability to learn, this is more important.