Mainframe Software Engineer Review

My day to day jobs involves writing and maintaining software for Barclays mainframes. Other tasks include management of source code for releases and helping designers with their questions.

My communication and time management skills have improved greatly throughout my course and my technical skills such as writing source code improving constantly as there is always something to learn.

I enjoy my role inside the business as I'm given lots of opportunities but I don't particularly like the university side as I was never interested in going to university.

Each year for university we are told the topics we will be learning and given pre reading information if we wish to use it. First two years are fine however there were some issues with the third year with a certain topic.

I was initially given other people to communicate with regarding any issues I had but since I've been through the apprenticeship for 3 years, they have become more relaxed and I have the freedom to learn how I want to.

My lecturers are always open to talk about my assignments or help with anything I'm stuck with. My designated skills couch provides me with any help I need and can point me to other resources if I need help with specific things.

Due to the uniqueness of my role, the training qualification only goes so far as there are three topics in the three years that are directly related to my job role. This can't really be avoided as there are few apprentices on this pathway.

There are lots of activities at my workplace such as sports events, teams and networking events with other businesses in which they show off their technology. I don't personally get involved with the activities but will often visit the networking events.

Yes

Barclays provides lots of opportunities for new joiners and the job roles available are very interesting and vary.

It's best to be honest, you don't have the be the perfect person as long as you show the willingness to learn and adapt.