Software Engineer Review
at Arm
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Cambridge
Review Submitted: January 2023
Overall Rating
4.3 /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
-
Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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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
As a software engineer my primary task is to come up with (often in collaboration) solutions to stakeholder requests and to design it in a robust and efficient way. Internally this means Sprint planning where we are given tickets to do for the sprint, and then during the sprint I spend my time collaborating and writing software.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
It really is an excellent programme, everyone is very accomodating and know that you are there to learn, they never push work onto you. They are interested in how your university work is going, and give you plenty of time to get on with it (often more than the 20% required, if you need it for assignments and the such.)
I cannot understate how friendly and helpful everyone is, from the managers to the team members.
I cannot understate how friendly and helpful everyone is, from the managers to the team members.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
My Team are world class, not just in terms of skill but also in term of principles. They take the time to explain concepts that might be new to me, even within meetings, and have (often to the effect of slowing down their own work) taken time to take me through what they are working on.
They have taught me everything from software engineering, Agile development methodologies, and best practices for many many different things.
They have taught me everything from software engineering, Agile development methodologies, and best practices for many many different things.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
It is very well organised. When I first joined as an apprentice, I spent the first few days with my fellow apprentices and meeting my team. I was introduced to my university programme and the many resources I have to independently learn.
I was introduced to my tutor here who I meet regularly to discuss my progress and any issues I have. I was also introduced to my lovely line manager who I also meet with regularly to discuss how everything is going.
I have an overabundance of resources to my disposal, whether it be further academic learning, workplace learning or anything I could need.
I was introduced to my tutor here who I meet regularly to discuss my progress and any issues I have. I was also introduced to my lovely line manager who I also meet with regularly to discuss how everything is going.
I have an overabundance of resources to my disposal, whether it be further academic learning, workplace learning or anything I could need.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I have an Tutor who is a software engineer in another department who I meet with regularly to discuss my progress, I have a Line manager who provides much support to me. There is an apprenticeship manager who is very helpful and provides lots of opportunities. I have a buddy who I can speak to if I have any problems.
Im also provided with lots of equipment to do extra learning, and lots of events to learn more, such as the weekly Mega-doughnuts which is a lecture hosted by a team in arm.
Im also provided with lots of equipment to do extra learning, and lots of events to learn more, such as the weekly Mega-doughnuts which is a lecture hosted by a team in arm.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
The training provider has several support resources, such as weekly drop-ins with your lecturer and "ACE" Academic workshops to develop further skills. My main criticism of QA would be that they are quite unorganised. It is difficult to figure out what is going on, when, as information is spread out all over the place on their hard to navigate website.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
I definitely believe that the qualification is helpful. I've learnt a lot so far that I never considered that I would need, but I can definitely see being useful both now and in the future as general knowledge.
I believe it would be more helpful to me if it was at a higher level, as currently we are recapping things I have already learnt academically, however I understand not everyone is at the same level.
I believe it would be more helpful to me if it was at a higher level, as currently we are recapping things I have already learnt academically, however I understand not everyone is at the same level.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
There are lots of opportunities for this. My team has events such as 'Squash social' and Board games club, where we go after work to play squash together. Arm also hosts many events such as the amazing Winter party, and the regular Connect days, which gives us a chance to socialise with people around the office outside of our team.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Arm to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I can, and have, recommended Arm to my friends because its such a great environment here, not only to learn but also to grow as a person. There are many opportunities and things going on to learn from.
The hybrid working at Arm is excellent, as on my team we work from home Monday and Friday and go into the office Tue,Wed,Thurs. There is little pressure to do work, and yet everyone does it anyway to a high standard because they enjoy doing it.
The hybrid working at Arm is excellent, as on my team we work from home Monday and Friday and go into the office Tue,Wed,Thurs. There is little pressure to do work, and yet everyone does it anyway to a high standard because they enjoy doing it.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Arm?
Just talk to your interviewers. Tell them as much about yourself as you can and ask about them. Even the scary interviewers at Arm are nice.
The most important thing valued by the apprenticeship program at arm is that you're a good person, and eager to learn more. Computing knowledge is not at all a primary concern.
The most important thing valued by the apprenticeship program at arm is that you're a good person, and eager to learn more. Computing knowledge is not at all a primary concern.
