Graduate Software Engineer Review

After 2 weeks of intense training, the programme consists of 4 6-month long rotations across different engineering teams with quite a range of responsibilities. Each team is very independent, so there is no "one overview". I started in a backend team using a language I had no experience with, as was taken on just like any other team member. On the job training, pairing, and working on the actual product, pushing out changes and making meaningful contributions, just like a full-time permanent engineering role would. Taking part in stand-ups, discovery, discussions, decisions, retrospectives, etc. I also spent rotations in a web front-end and a mobile (iOS) engineering team where I had similar experiences. There was some training on offer, and never was I expected to take on more than I was comfortable with.

Yes! I had 0 experience with cloud computing, microservices, the Scala programming language, mobile applications development or proper testing, all of which I learned during my time in this team. I also learned how to work with cross-discipline teams - product owners, project managers, user experience designers, as well as stakeholders who had an interest in the product

The manager of the scheme was based in Salford, I was based in London, which often meant that I would not see them very often - but there was little need as I had always a manager in the team that my rotations were in. Each team clearly had a slightly different culture, and overall I did enjoy it. There was quite a strict framework, and there was little room to try out other disciplines or departments such as R&D or business analysis.

The scheme had a scheme manager and an assistant who were available remotely, and with whom I'd have catchups every couple of months. Everybody was assigned a mentor, (mine quickly left the organisation which was unfortunate). The scheme encourages/enforces everybody to go across many different teams, and not repeat the same (e.g. to not stay in News, but try out iPlayer or to not just do web development, but try out some mobile or backend engineering). I think that definitely makes for a broader learning experience, but some disliked this.

Each rotation managed this slightly different. In my first team, I had a line manager and a "buddy", who sat next to me; both of which I could speak to about anything relating to the role. I also had a mentor and the scheme manager outside my team if there was anything bothering me, and of course the rest of my cohort. Where there were any problems with the scheme, getting the cohort united definitely helped to get us heard.

There was no formal qualification to work towards, and whilst some people were offered the opportunity to enrol onto a Masters degree qualification, this was not open to everyone. There was an internal training program, but often courses were booked out, it was not clear when there would be another one, or they were in remote locations with no budgets for travelling.

There was no formal qualification, but I believe very strongly that the experience I gained during my 2 years on the scheme has given me a much better understanding of the industry and a wider range of skills which may not even seem applicable to the role I ended up in.

There are conferences (internal and external), as well as a range of clubs such a Photography, Running, Languages etc. These often provide bookable training, equipment or events. There are many staff-organised events such as Yoga or booksales, as well as a a bar in some locations, and many teams are sociable and out-going.

Yes

Working for the BBC means making an impact on almost everyone's life in the country, and in some circumstances working on products used by hundreds of millions worldwide - and all this not to make a profit, but to enrich their lives, provide a public service and follow our mission.

The BBC is a public service organisation and has a set of strong values for which they are looking for. You do not have to be the best coder, but you do need to have a good attitude. Be vocal about your passions and make sure to voice your opinions.