Software Developer Review

Each day I am responsible for fixing defects/ making improvements to the code for my teams product. I spend time each day with a mentor who helps me and makes sure I am on the right track, and if I need any help will provide this for me. I also go to a lot of meetings where I am updated on the business / teams within IBM and their progress

I have learnt many new skills and developed many of the ones I had already. When I joined I had only experience with 1 programming language, and I am now much more confident with 3, and have developed the ability to test code using unit tests, something I wasn't even familiar with when I joined, but is a standard practise to me now! My confidence with presenting has also improved so much!

This was the programme I always wanted to do, and I always wanted it to be with IBM because of who they represent as a business. It well and truly has exceeded all my expectations and I love how much this apprenticeship has helped me already. It already feels like I am developing so much.

The induction was really well structured and gave me a really positive start into the company. The training and support I have had so far has been organised by my team to make sure I am always having something to do, and if I get stuck the help is always there. I have scheduled meetings with my managers too, to ensure I am always on track.

IBM are really good with providing me with support. My scheduled meetings with my manager each week is really good for a wellness checkup and also making sure I am on track. There are so many resources available if I am ever stuck. The HR team were amazing when I was first applying, and they made me feel like they knew me on a personal level, and they really cared about me.

My university lecturers will always reply to my emails and give me support if I need it. I have never met my university tutor which is a shame, but I have only been there 6 months so I really hope there will be an opportunity for that in the future.

The degree course so far has taught me a lot about my academic skills which I apply to my job every day, for example presentation skills. I have learnt a lot about software development methods and these I use everyday in my role. Some of my university modules such as responsible management, don't necessarily help me in my role, but give me more insight into businesses and how they operate.

There are so many extra activities you can be involved in, and during coronavirus there have been 100's of online call events and game nights etc that you can get involved in and be a part of, which is a good opportunity to meet new people. I have taken part in 2 hackathons as well whilst I have worked at IBM, and I even won one of them!

Yes

IBM is the most supporting company, and I feel very lucky to be able to work for them. They are a leader in the industry and I believe they are a role model for so many other companies. They give continuous support to all their employees and have amazing benefits.

Be yourself! The interview really was an opportunity to show IBM who I was, and why they needed me in their company, which is a reason you shouldn't be nervous. I was 100% authentic and did not try to be somebody I wasn't, I let my character show through. They want a person, not a robot. Show them who you really are and what you're capable of.