Software Developer Review
at BT Group
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Ipswich
Review Submitted: February 2023
Overall Rating
2.9 /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
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
2.6/5
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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 work as a full stack developer, mainly on internal web applications, which enable other employees to do their job easier/more efficiently. I tend to work in JavaScript and Python, but have used other languages too. I also mentor younger apprentices, who are starting the same apprenticeship but a few years below.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
I enjoy the job role, I learn a lot of things and have chance every day to use them. These make me more employable and also I enjoy the challenges I am set each day. I think I learn a new thing every day.
However, I have not enjoyed the university part of the apprenticeship. The knowledge has not been relevant and I don't feel the assessments challenge me in the right way - the challenges seem to be being able to write as an academic, rather than learning useful technologies and transferrable skills.
However, I have not enjoyed the university part of the apprenticeship. The knowledge has not been relevant and I don't feel the assessments challenge me in the right way - the challenges seem to be being able to write as an academic, rather than learning useful technologies and transferrable skills.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learned a lot of new skills and developed existing skills during my apprenticeship, however the vast majority of the useful/transferrable/employable knowledge and skills I have learnt throughout my apprenticeship have come from the job role, rather than the university side. The knowledge I have learnt from university has been relatively specific, and not relevant to my role.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
I was promised 6-monthly rotations, so I would get a broad range of skills and understanding of the business. That did not happen, I had to really push to change from my initial place, but I'm glad I did. After that, I'm glad I stayed in this role as I have learned a lot.
The University course does not seem relevant to my role, or even being a software developer. The odd module is useful, but on the whole it seems too vague and general.
The University course does not seem relevant to my role, or even being a software developer. The odd module is useful, but on the whole it seems too vague and general.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
I get sufficient time to work on my assignments during my apprenticeship. The skills I have learned at work have been useful to my university course (note: not the other way around). If I am running up to a deadline at university, it is expected that I can take more time to work on the university side for that week.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
It varies between lecturer/module. Some are very forthcoming with information and really push for us setting up meetings with them to help us with the assignment, which is great. Others do not, even if the assessment brief is vague. I sometimes struggle to work out what the assignment is testing.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
The content of the qualification has not been helpful to my role, and I doubt it will be for future roles too. The only benefit of this qualification I feel is that I now have the 'degree' checkbox on my CV ticked. I am grateful I haven't paid for the course myself.
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
Yes, our team organises a few things to do occasionally, which is quite nice, including the occasional work trip to the other offices. The other offices (such as London and Birmingham) seem to be much nicer than the Ipswich one, and there seems to be far more opportunities there too.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BT Group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It is a very good place to learn and the culture seems to be nice (in my experience). I don't see myself staying at BT for lots of years, especially as a software engineer, as the opportunities seem somewhat limited and progression only seems to be into management rather than technology-based.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BT Group?
Apply early. I found the video interview daunting, but the questions they ask are very generic and nothing to worry about.
I was rejected 2 times, and got the apprenticeship on my third attempt, so don't be disheartened if you fail the first time!
If you're local, it's a good place to work
I was rejected 2 times, and got the apprenticeship on my third attempt, so don't be disheartened if you fail the first time!
If you're local, it's a good place to work
