Software Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

I have university for 2 days a week (currently monday and tuesday) and work for the other 3, during term time. Outside of term time I am in work for all 5 days. In a year there is two semesters, which are 12 weeks each and contain 3 modules, so in a year you complete 6 modules. On work days it starts off with a standup with the team you are currently in, in which you say what you did yesterday and what you plan to do today. At the beginning this was mainly shadowing and self teaching with Pluralsight, so you learn JS and React. Now its been a few months, we are doing projects so its more completing tickets.

Yes, using pluralsight and by shadowing I have enhanced my knowledge of both JavaScript and React, which are the two programming languages mainly used at KPMG. In addition university has taught me Java and business knowledge, such as why a businesses makes the decisions it does. Both KPMG and QMUL require you to do presentations which have enhancing both my presentation skills and confidence presenting.

KPMG gives you the time needed to do your university work so you do have free time outside of work. I have also found certain modules of university very interesting. However, as QMUL assumes you have no programming knowledge at the very beginning of the first semester I was not initially engaged. Additionally as I started during COVID, I haven't had the chance to meet both other university students and work colleagues.

For some reason this program has two intakes one in September and the other in October. This mean the October intake (which included me) started midway through the university term and had to catchup. However, this should not occur in future years as we have been told this problem has been resolved. Apart from this the programme is structured well, its clear what occures in each year (5 year course, year 4 is a year in industry)

We recieves lots of support as we have a buddy, tech buddy, mentor and performance manager, all of which are willing to support you. I have also found that the team I am currently in doesn't mind me asking for help. A buddy is an apprentice from the year above and a tech buddy is someone on your team.

At university we have the same support as other students, but for apprentice only modules due to the smaller class sizes its much easier to get help. For many modules there are lab sessions where you can ask the lab lead for help and as the lab lead is a student in a year above you they can typically help. However I know some apprentices have found it hard to directly contact the lecturer for some modules.

While the programming language does not directly transfer due to difference languages being used (Java at university and JS/React at work), the fundamentals are the same and therefore transfer. Additionally the other modules which are not programming based directly transfer to work. An example of this is business modelling helped me understand why a decision was made.

There are after work virtual socials, but because of lockdown there are not been the typical extra curricular activities available. However, KPMG has tried to subsitute them by doing such things as steps challenges, which all apprentices firm wide can participate in. Another challenge that occured was based around Pluralsight and another was about wellbeing.

Yes

Having talked to the other apprentices at QMUL and others online it seems that KPMG is one of the best for a work life balance and ensuring they support you. KPMG are also interested in seeing you grow and your skills develop over the time you are on this degree apprenticeship program and beyond. I also enjoy the team I am currently working with.

KPMG don't want the current best, they want people they believe can excel overtime with the right support, so by the end of the program you are doing great work, so when applying ensure you show the potential you have. So don't worry if you have no programming experience, just show you can learn overtime.