Associate Network Engineer Review

I'm currently working as a hybrid apprentice due to my training and experience in software. I'm learning about both software and networks. For the software side of things, I work on creating a management tool that would be used by the senior leadership team. For the network side of things, I work on looking at the errors and then following the procedure of fixing errors that appear on the network.

I have learnt all about how the network would work and handling some really expensive equipment that value over the hundreds of thousands of pounds. I also learnt all about logging onto the different types of boxes using different commands for the different vendors to get the results that I require. I have also started to learn different languages such as Ajax for my software project.

I enjoy the programme a lot.. I love being a part of the actual team and having my input and opinions change how the team would work. I'm also really happy with the fact that I'm an integral member of the team and would be treated as one of the full time staff and not just as an apprentice.

I feel that the organisation involved is improving and that our feedback is taken in to improve for the future years but at the current stages the overall recruitment process is shocking. The overall teams that you join and who manage you as a person/apprentice is done quite well. Your feedback and your desires are taken into account to make choices on what you end up doing and that is something that I really appreciate that they tailor the apprenticeship to the person more than an overall scheme that you follow.

The teams that you end up working with are fantastic. They are so helpful and nice. You are welcomed in and would treat you as one of them and you never feel out of place. You end up with many managers but all of them are amazing and communicate well together and are always open and great to talk to. They are always free for you to talk to and will try to assist and help you in any way possible and will try to push you to achieve as much as you can.

This is what I would say is one of the lowest part of the apprenticeship and was my biggest concern/fear when I applied and it was unfortunately true. The Uni is horrible and the lectures are horrendously boring. They don't work full time so you can't go and talk to them or email them at all. It is really [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions]

I haven't used what I learn at uni yet and haven't been able to but it into practice at all. I feel like I'm back to Year 7-9 where you learn loads that you would never use on a daily basis. I feel some stuff would be useful to know and is kinda of interesting but most of it is information that I don't end up using

There are many activities and stuff for you to get on with and that would allow you to mingle with others. There are loads of events that are organised by the apprentices themselves to get everyone together. There are other classes and events that they would organise where you would be taught by directors in the business where you can learn about their experiences and their knowledge.

Yes

The overall benefits of working here are amazing. The company looks after its employees and will help you achieve what you desire. There are also many avenues that you would be able to take and would be able to go from one corner of the business to another. This is also one of the biggest and best companies to work for in this area and possibly the country

The current application process is in 4 steps (This is due to be changed soon and we are pushing for it to be changed). You first send in your application with your CV. Then you get put through to the Situational Strengths Test. This is a scenario based test to see what you would do in particular situations. The advice I would give for this stage would be to not always try and give answers that they want to hear. Make sure that you try and pick honestly. Then you have a video interview where you would sit and answer questions that would appear on a black screen. Here I would let you know that you should try and make sure that your personality should shine through and that you should do a lot of research about the company and try and talk about that as well. Then it is the assessment centre. This is split into 3 parts. There is a face-to-face interview where you would answer questions that they ask. Then you have a group task where you would be looking at how well you would work as a team. Don't be afraid to agree with an idea if you genuinely think that it's a good idea. That isn't putting down your chances. Then you have a presentation that you have to do. This will be on a topic that is given to you on the invite to the assessment centre. You don't need to worry about the assessment centre too much. Make sure that you be yourself and that you show them why they should hire you.