Software Engineering Graduate Trainee Review

Working as a software developer in various teams around the BBC, including Sport, iPlayer, Children's, Voice. Developing apps, websites, back-end services. Daily work involves coding, testing, reviewing other developers' code. Pairing with developers, responsible for delivering high-quality, scalable, tested code. Wide range of projects with huge user numbers and global reach.

I have learned so much in this scheme. I have become proficient in Javascript (including Node and React), as well as smaller amounts of Kotlin, Swift, Java and Lua. I have also learned about Continuous Integration, cloud services (AWS), version control and much more. There have been several opportunities to receive excellent training courses, usually from external training companies with highly-knowledgeable staff. Sometimes I have had to wait so long for courses that they are no longer relevant to my current team ("rotation"), but I still found the training beneficial to my overall development.

I enjoy it a lot. When we started we had 2 weeks of induction training and formed good bonds with many of the other developers. The working environment is modern, relaxed and enjoyable. The teams I have worked with have all been welcoming and sociable. I have benefitted enormously from the rotations around different teams. The BBC culture is relaxed and focused on delivering high-quality products for all users, without any influence of profit margins.

Very well organised. 4 x 6-month rotations. You are allocated your first team when you start, then towards the end of the first 6 months you submit 3 preferences for your next team. There is information about which teams are available, what they are working on and what you will be doing. You are allocated one of those choices, and this process repeats every 6 months. The teams expect you to work hard but also know you are learning and allow time for training and personal development.

The people running the scheme are always available if there are any issues, but on a day-to-day basis you work in a development team and your line manager will look after you. Most will schedule regular one-to-one catch-ups to allow you to discuss how everything is going. You are also allocated a mentor, someone who is not working directly with you, usually a more experienced developer from another team entirely, who can offer support and advice on things like career progression and anything else you want to talk about!

There are no qualifications involved in this graduate scheme, but there is plenty of training available including some with qualifications such as official AWS courses. You are allowed to take time during the working day to undertake any necessary training that is relevant to your current team, such as online tutorials to learn new languages or technologies. I would like more opportunity to gain external qualifications that are recognised across the industry.

You are doing the exact same work as other developers, learning the skills and technologies used across the BBC. The graduate scheme is open to anyone with relevant talent and abilities, even if you don't have a Computer Science degree. The training is good and other developers are patient and knowledgeable.

There are loads of informal clubs such as 5-a-side football, board games, video games, yoga, even bee-keeping! We arrange regular meals with the other graduates but there is not much provided from the BBC due to it being a publicly-funded body with scrutiny from other media about spending. The location is great, with a tram stop right outside for connection into Manchester city centre and beyond.

Yes

It is a great place to work, with a relaxed culture and a dedication to public service through giving excellent value-for-money to the licence-fee payers. The workplace is great, and the location is easy to get to from all over Greater Manchester. Plus you might get in the lift with a Blue Peter presenter!

The assessment centres seem daunting but the interviewers are not trying to trip you up, they want to give you the opportunity to pass. Find out about agile, TDD, continuous integration, these sort of things are commonly used and interviewers are looking for some level of understanding (but not requiring years of experience or training!)