Graduate Software Engineer Review

My role is to be involved in the development of software for the BBC. We work as part of a wider team which includes many disciplines. A day typically involves a stand up meeting at the start of the day to outline what we will be working on and throughout the day I'll work with other developers and the wider team to deliver our team goals.

I have developed some already existing web development skills as well as learning some new ones such as React. I have learnt how to develop applications for voice platforms such as the Amazon Alexa and I have learnt how to develop major mobile applications on iOS (iPlayer and BBC Sport). I have also developed my soft skills greatly via working with many different teams and attending/speaking at conferences throughout my time on the scheme.

I really enjoy it. The programme allows me to spend time with many different teams within the BBC which exposes me to a wide variety of people and technologies. I have learnt a great deal about software engineering during my time here and the people I have worked with have all been great.

It's organised very well in my opinion. We get to put in our preferences for our next rotation a few months before we start said rotation, we can apply to any of the teams that are willing to take on grads for that rotation. I've not had any trouble getting a place on the teams I wanted and I've not heard of any others who have had a bad experience with this.

My employer has allowed me to attend many training courses throughout my time on the program which has let me refine some of the skills I've learned. Towards the end of the programme my employer has organised mock interviews so that I can get interview ready for when I leave the programme.

My employer has allowed me to attend many training courses throughout my time on the program which has let me refine some of the skills I've learned. Towards the end of the programme my employer has organised mock interviews so that I can get interview ready for when I leave the programme.

Not sure how to answer this one as we haven't got a qualification via a training provider. Not sure how to answer this one as we haven't got a qualification via a training provider. Not sure how to answer this one as we haven't got a qualification via a training provider.

Yes there are many activities that you can get involved in both set up by people on the programme as well as the teams you join throughout your time on the programme. On the programme we organise drinks regularly and on the current team I'm on we play football once a week after work.

Yes

It's been a great place to work and I've learned so much that I feel I could go into most software engineering jobs and give them a good go. The people I've met have been really fun to work with and have provided so much support for me.

Communication is really important when you're working in a team here so make sure that you're comfortable doing group work before you come to an assessment centre. TDD and pairing is also really important so it'd be beneficial if you had some experience in those practices before you apply.