New Talent Trainee Graduate Software Engineer Review
at BBC
School Leaver Programme
Information Technology
Manchester
Review Submitted: April 2021
Overall Rating
4.7 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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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:
5/5
The role includes working for different teams in the BBC to help in their design and engineering projects. The scheme allows me to rotate between multiple teams to get a wide array of experience in software engineering. The roles include programming, creating proof of concepts and working on current projects.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I thoroughly enjoy the programme as the software engineers in the team I am currently in are treating me as one of their own and not as a trainee. This will put me in good stead for when I finish the programme and become a software engineer. There are loads of training courses that the BBC encourage me to attend which builds up my knowledge. Overall the scheme is really enjoyable.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
When I first joined the scheme I had a degree and only had a small set of programming skills. Since joining the BBC I have leant loads! The current team uses GO which I am now confident in. I have also learnt about the agile method of working. I have developed my teamwork skills and collaboration skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme is really well organised and structured. They keep track of your progress by making you set goals throughout each rotation and have lots of one to ones to see how you are getting on. After the scheme, the scheme manager still keeps in contact with you to make sure you are progressing with the team you decided to stick with.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
The support provided from the BBC is great. They have lots of different internal services to support me in my career and personal life. My team manager and scheme manager are both easily accessible and will always take their time to answer any queries I might have. There are lots of employees in the BBC that strive to help support my career.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Having a one to one with my training provider every 8 weeks ensures that I get the support i need when working towards your qualifications. I am also provided with a dedicated mentor who catches up with me every month to discuss my goals that has been set up by my training mentor.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Getting this qualification means I have a better understanding of what it means to be a software engineer and helps me with day to day tasks. For example, I now have a better understanding of how to write bug-free code with adequate testing. I am also able to more effectively communicate to other software engineers what I am working on and what help I need if I get stuck.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
At the BBC there are loads of extra curricular activities to get involved in. There are multiple guilds in the BBC that host social activities based around the guilds domain. The scheme cohort I am in also host social events online to connect with other people going through the same training as me. I have been told there are sports teams, however I have not joined any yet.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BBC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
They have an extremely well structured trainee system that is proven to produce high quality software engineers that are versitle. This is because they are given the chance to experience multiple different areas of software engineering that smaller companies would not be able to provide. Their support system in great and their extensive extra curricular activies means you really feel like a part of the company.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BBC?
When applying, make sure you have a basic understanding of what a software engineer is required to do. Being able to write code is definitley helpful and having a basic understanding of the agile workflow will be benefitial. The BBC focus heavily on teamwork and collaboration so make sure you express any previous experience in your application.
