Software Developer Review
at IBM
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Southampton
Review Submitted: February 2022
Overall Rating
3.9 /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
3.4/5
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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
Daily tasks & responsibilities
- Writing code in C, React, & Python
- Writing automated unit tests to test new features and functionality added to the project
- Working with a database and SQL queries
- Helping other members of the team with their code / problem solving
Daily interactions internally
- My team have daily scrums to talk about the progress we made yesterday and our plans for today, as well as general wellbeing checks and the overall status of the project
Daily interactions externally
- As a software dev I don't interact with the client very much, my comms are internal with the rest of the IBM team
- Writing code in C, React, & Python
- Writing automated unit tests to test new features and functionality added to the project
- Working with a database and SQL queries
- Helping other members of the team with their code / problem solving
Daily interactions internally
- My team have daily scrums to talk about the progress we made yesterday and our plans for today, as well as general wellbeing checks and the overall status of the project
Daily interactions externally
- As a software dev I don't interact with the client very much, my comms are internal with the rest of the IBM team
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
The work is interesting and challenging. You're treated like an actual employee rather than a student so given a lot of responsibility. You can also do different roles within the company.
It's a large company so there are gonna be people you don't get on with. But as a whole IBM values diversity and wellbeing so the culture is one of the best I think. Lots of socials and optional workshops and something is always going on which you can get involved with.
How well does it meet your expectations? It's better than I thought it'd be.
Do you enjoy it?
5050. It's still a job and a degree - it's a lot of work and sometimes doesn't seem worth the stress. But overall you're supported and the work and study are interesting so I don't regret doing it.
It's a large company so there are gonna be people you don't get on with. But as a whole IBM values diversity and wellbeing so the culture is one of the best I think. Lots of socials and optional workshops and something is always going on which you can get involved with.
How well does it meet your expectations? It's better than I thought it'd be.
Do you enjoy it?
5050. It's still a job and a degree - it's a lot of work and sometimes doesn't seem worth the stress. But overall you're supported and the work and study are interesting so I don't regret doing it.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Loads. I've learned how to work in an Agile and DevOps team, using Infrastructure as Code, terraform, C++ programming, web development, React, how to consult professionally with potential clients, etc. IBM has its own Learning Platform which has tonnes of free training, badges, and courses for you to do to improve your own skills. They encourage everyone doing 'Think40' ie 40 hours of learning outside of their regular job.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
I've been doing it for years now so 2 different answers. At the start, not very organised at all. Over the past few years both IBM and the uni have pulled their socks up and provided a much more structured and supported experience for the apprentices. IBM's also one of the few companies with an entire business sector dedicated to young professionals, not seen that structure in any other company yet. We also each get a dedicated Apprentice manager alongside our job/task manager.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
A good amount. You get an Apprentice Manager who looks after other apprentices on your pathway. They have minimum quarterly meetings to ensure you're on track and ask questions etc. For Exeter, they have a university contact who challenges the uni and finds out information you need. You're well supported.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
An okay amount. Sometimes you have to chase them for information but generally you're well supported. I'd say you'll have a hard time if you aren't comfortable asking questions because for things like coursework it's not always clear what they want from you and you have to have a back and forth. There's a dedicated person who acts as the contact for employers from the uni side and you have termly meetings with them and your employer to ensure all parties are up to date.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The degree covers a wide range of topics so you're bound to use at least some of what you learn in your day job if you work for a tech company. If you're doing something like finance and auditing then maybe not, but there will still be soft skills and business processes that you learn which help understand large companies. For me personally I found the database module helpful when doing my first Dev role.
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
Loads. You can't take part in any societies with the uni really because we only go maximum 3 weeks a year. But IBM make up for it as there is always some kind of event going on. It does depend on where you're based though because the London area always has far more going on than the north and south. They do a good job trying to encourage a social and supportive culture. However, it is still nowhere near a uni's level, so if the social aspect is important to you then it might be worth looking into different apprenticeships where you spend more time at the uni.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend IBM to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I think IBM pay well for apprentices. They also have a good pension scheme and people culture. The best bit though is how easy it is to move around and switch roles. There definitely are stories of apprentices being stuck in roles and not getting support to move out and do something they want to, but overall I think there's more flexibility to move compared to apprentices from other companies I've spoken to.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to IBM?
IBM care less about your qualifications and tick box activities, and more about who you are as a person and the passion and soft skills you can bring. In your application stages, be the one who is getting involved, helping others, leading the team, and showing out of the box thinking. Also remember to PREP - think of examples of leadership, problem solving, communication, etc. so you're ready if you get asked - that goes for any company you apply to. You don't want to be the one umming and ahhing in an interview.
