Software Engineer Review
at Thales
Degree Apprenticeship
Engineering
Manchester
Review Submitted: July 2020
Overall Rating
4.5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
I worked as an SI&T engineer until I finished my apprenticeship, I created, managed, and ran the testing of some of our software systems. I work as though I am a full employee and over the years have gained more responsibilities as I have developed. This entailed using industry standard tools and some bespoke ones, depending on the project. I also was involved in general office work, such as organising meetings and giving presentations when required.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
Overall, it was very enjoyable. I prefered the working aspect to the degree, but I think that is mostly my personality. There were some times where I felt lost with the work, but people were supportive. There were lots of opportunities for me and it has lead to a lot of experiences that have been very enjoyable. I have met lots of technical experts which is very useful. I also have made some good friends throughout the scheme.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes, when I first started I was very dependent on supervision and guidance, but now I am able to work autonomously and even have responsibilities. My soft skills have developed which are transferable to any industry; I have greatly developed my technical skills much faster than I think I would have done without my apprenticeship; I have matured a lot in my own life and have had a lot of experienced people to rely on for advice.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Since we were only the second year, there were still some kinks that needed to be worked out with the program, but there were lots of people to support it. My company quickly adapted to the needs of apprentices and offered additional training to the necessary to develop my skills. The university was organised and our experience was tailored to suit the business's needs. There was good communication between my company and the university which made things transparent and run smoothly.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My company has been very supportive, offering me the necessary time to do my work. I have been able to learn from experienced people, which has helped my university work and technical growth. They have helped me map my future development not just for the apprenticeship. They treat me like a professional and an equal, which has made integrating with the team easy. I was given assistance with any problem I had but was not over managed.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
The university provides as much support as expected from any degree. The lecturers were very knowledgeable and answered emails quickly. The apprentice specific support was excellent with one on one progression reviews and target setting. I had full access to everything a normal student does and even had additional support they did not. I had frequent communications from the university explaining everything I needed to do and felt comfortable asking for help when I needed it.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
While my role is not exactly the same as the course. The breadth of topics covered has allowed me to try my hand at lots of areas and to discover what I want to do. The academic theory is as important as the experience to produce the best quality work and having both has let me work much more effectively. I have also had a much easier time understanding other people who have a different skill set than me. I would not be as capable as I am without my apprenticeship.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There is a good social aspect in work and various teams and people have gatherings. There are company organised events of all sorts, both social and charitable. The apprentices have a small community that enjoy going out and doing activities together. There are as many opportunities as you make time for and the culture allows for anyone to organise something if they want to. These range from casual to more formal depending on the setting. People are very friendly overall and welcoming to these events.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Thales to a friend?
Yes
Why?
They are supportive of people's development, Thales operates worldwide with opportunity to travel, the company does not rest on its laurels and there is always push for change, the people are very friendly, there are lots of interesting projects and it is easy to move around them, there is a good mix of young energy and older experience, there is a lot of growth in the company so moving up is quite easy if you have the drive.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Thales?
Show a willingness to develop, have enthusiasm for the field. Good people skills and confidence are very helpful. Make sure you know a bit about what the company does and the area you want a job (it is very big and does a lot of different things). Most managers are friendly and you shouldn't be intimidated by them. Try to show passion in the interview and talk about why you want the job. Technical knowledge is good but not mandatory.
