Application Developer Review

I'm a Developer, so most days are spent writing code, debugging, testing, building, deploying, and working with other developers.

Developed leadership skills and organisation skills immensely. There are also tonnes of courses for learning other skills not related to the job, so I've learnt a lot about Cloud and Blockchain, as well as skills like presenting, design, and working in an Agile way.

The program is very enjoyable outside of COVID, as we get to go to the University and network with apprentices from other employers. The day off a week for study helps with time management and ensuring I get my allocated time for uni work. The company has provided lots of support and opportunities to move roles if I wanted - but I know this is not the case for every apprentice in IBM.

Very well structured. Allocated day off for study, timetable with learning & workshops from the university side. Meetings with university and employer to ensure everyone ins clear on what is expected. Sometimes courseworks aren't clear from the uni side, and we usually get out residential timetables a week or so before which could be sooner in my opinion.

Lots. We have a dedicated manager for our apprenticeship and early career, who is separate from our daily role task manager. They set up frequent meetings to check our progress / goals / questions / issues. The level of effort and effectiveness of each apprentice manager differs though depending on who you get - so some provide better support than others.

A lot, allegedly. We have a dedicated mentor to contact about uni issues. But when we have issues with a coursework we don't see any change - only the year after us is affected by the feedback. So it's not very useful to us personally to feed back.

It's very useful, as the course trains you broadly in a range of role types which helps you better understand people you work with and the business. Then you can specialise depending on what you like best. I've used my teachings from the course in my daily role numerous times.

There are paid ones on site at the Hursley office. There are also some free ones and socials set up but it's who you know kind of thing. We have an Apprentice Community for all UKI apprentices who join IBM, and there are other Communities like those for BAME & LGBT+ members and allies. These Communities will often arrange events too which are free to attend.

Yes

Great external learning resources, good people (usually), decent pay compared to other apprentices I've spoken to, decent pension scheme, opportunities for career growth

Just be yourself. IBM care more about your potential and how you will work as a team member / leader than if you have technical qualifications. Stand out, speak up, share your ideas, be considerate of others, respect their ideas, and you should be fine. In interviews you should already have examples of things you've done / projects you've worked on so you're not spending the time thinking in silence.