Degree apprentice Review

On Monday's its a university day which means I will be in University from 9am till 6pm in lectures and labs. Tuesday to Friday I start my day by reading and sending out emails. My first scrum meeting starts at 9:45. During this time I discuss what work I produced the day before and what I aim to produce by the end of today. Once the meeting is over I will start producing codes for the project I'm on, using C#.

Before starting my apprenticeship in September 2018 I had no knowledge of software developing e.g. coding. 6 months into the job I have learnt how to write basic codes and I'm currently developing my skills still. Due to this job being a degree apprenticeship it means I get to learn a lot of new skills during my whole three years. I don't just learn tech related skills but also skills such as communicating and balancing working, studying and my personal life.

I enjoy the current program I'm on due to the flexibility I get with being able to chose where I would like gain more understanding within the project I'm currently on. My manager is understanding that I'm a full time student and full time staff member and also asks what type of job I'm looking to align myself within the project.

I believe that the degree apprenticeship is organized as well as it can be. Accenture being such a big company means sometimes messages might get lost in translation or sometimes you need to chase for answers. However this is expected in a huge organization and common within the working world.

I have a team of people within my current project who I'm able to ask for help when ever I have a issue even if it is university related. Outside of my project team I have career counselor and HR staff members that I'm able to go to if I have any issues.

My current training provider is UEL (University of East London), I feel like I don't get as much support and help as I would like to receive from the university. Starting university while working was scary at first. Having no programming before starting the course I felt I was behind already compared to other students. I also felt the university course from the beginning was for students who already had some understanding and knowledge of programming. However I was able to get support from my employer to be able to start understanding the content being taught within my lectures and labs.

I feel that my qualification aligns well with my job role. This is because sometimes I'm able to apply what I've learnt from university to my actual job practice. I'm also able to use what I've learnt from my job to my modules within university. Between the two they do overlap but it depends on what job your doing within your current project and the modules you are learning.

Working with Accenture has many perks and one being is that the company likes to hold variety of social activities. From Christmas parties to team lunches and dinners. The company also has many networking events which is good to go to if your new to the business, so you're able to meet new joiners.

Yes

Since starting working Accenture I have enjoyed every last minute of it. I've met incredible people from HR employees too other degree apprentices. I'm currenting working and learning and developing my skills within the business and being able to study and earn at the same time. I don't regret dropping out of traditional university and starting my degree apprenticeship as I feel I will have 3 years worth of experience and exposure to the working world compared to students graduating from traditional university.

During the recruitment process it is important to ask questions about the business and the program. This program is demanding and it's important that you enjoy learning tech, as the apprenticeship is for 3 - 4 years. Another tip I would give is practice working within a team as Accenture value potential employees that are able to work efficiently and also collaborate with other team members.