Graduate Software Engineer Review

Building software in teams across the BBC, working with large scale products that affect millions of peoples day to day is fantastic, We engage in high-quality software engineering practices and in cross-discipline teams. TDD, BDD are aims of the game and we work following agile methodologies. Iteratively improving products as we go day to day.

Absolutely loads! I started in September 2017 with very little professional software development experience in software engineering and now I comfortably work in teams that are on the cutting edge of web development and engineering practice. I now consider myself as someone who truely understands JavaScript, all the way down to the inner workings of the node v8 engine and front end technologies like React, Compilers/Transpillers, setting up monorepo and multi-repo projects.

We rotate every 6 months, and I am currently in my final rotation. The scheme has enabled me to meet hundreds of developers across the organisation; get to grips with now 4 tech stacks and their unique problem/solution domains; I have never had a training course denied where I can justify the tangible benefits of it to the scheme manager and have been allowed to visit universities to advocate for the scheme personally. Personal and Professional growth has been undeniable.

Well organized and structured. You start with a week-long induction and orientation to the role and business you are going into. Gain an appreciation for the corporation and its goals. Then you start the first rotation that is selected for you based on your experience thus far from your application, at the end of each rotation you shortlist 3 teams you would like to work in next, of which one is decided for you by the scheme management. Throughout all of this, you are given a mentor that guides you through your first 2 years at the BBC and for me, this person was absolutely amazing (shout out for you matt!)

We have regular 1-2-1s planned with the scheme manager, but I know I can just ask for some of her time if I ever need it. The Training provided is world class and has taught me so much! I can honestly say I truly have all the support I need.

As a Grad scheme, we aren't working towards Qualifications. However the BBC provide excellent training, I personally have done courses on Docker; AWS Cloud; React; TLS/PKI Certificates; Kotlin and other things too. The support and encouragement to go on these courses have been there from the start and continuously encouraged to do them as much as possible.

All training that I have received has been valuable, to gain continuously growing knowledge around subject matters that I am both interested in, and actively working on. They have given me good extended knowledge around the subject matter that has allowed me to reflect back to the team I am in and improve our products.

The BBC Host professional meetups, their own developer conference, have plenty of social events happing both in the team I am working in, and as part of the Grad scheme. The grad scheme members try to meet regularly, at least once a month, but often once a week in some kind of social capacities. Every team I have been in have held social events once a month or so, going to new and interesting experiences every time. There are sports teams but I'm not personally that interested and have never engaged with that, however, I have always been invited to get involved.

Yes

It's a really great place to work, it's a very professional, effective working area that really cares about the things that matter, it endeavors to be inclusive, welcoming and friendly, something that all the staff I've met embody. I love walking up and going to work, and I've never had that feeling before in my life.

If you are going to apply to an apprenticeship or grad scheme at the BBC, their primary objective is for you to learn. Be friendly, show who you are as a person, make sure you read/listen to the questions and answer what is being asked. Engage with people and enjoy the interview day if you apply and get to that point.