Software Development Assistant Review

I really enjoyed my insight session as I got to see how software engineering was used in business and learn more about what a software engineer does. It was good to see how the work they do is used by customers that travelled around London. I was also given the chance to answer some live tweets and what methods they used to plan programming work to a deadline and get to see the programming language they used. I was also really lucky as the software engineers were just finishing programming for the launch of ApplePay on the underground whilst I was with them. I also was taken out on the underground to see how the customers were using the technology that the software engineers had worked on to see the end result of their work.

Everyone made me feel really welcome and whilst they were really busy with ApplePay they made time for me. My placement manager was really friendly. I was a little nervous before I started as I did not know what to expect or know anyone but my nerves soon went as they were really friendly.

I had a lot of support during my insight and it was really good as they sent me a full schedule on what I was going to do before I started. My placement manager emailed me with information I needed before my first day including who to ask for, directions, arrangements for lunch and what to wear. There was always some-one who looked after me for each day I was there. The only problem I had was as there was a tube strike during my time there was one day when none of the software team were in the office. I was therefore asked not to come in but then the HR team offered for me to spend time with them for that day.

It helped me to decide that software engineering was something I wanted to do. I was not sure how I could use my computing skills in the future and was not aware of the range of work available in technology but this insight session helped me learn more about what opportunities could exist. It gave me a basic understanding of what skills I would need to get a job in the corporate world. I also learnt how planning my time was really important to meet deadlines as well as how important communication skills are and team work. I also learnt how to cut a task down into smalller chunks making it easier to deliver work on time.

I had a clear plan of where to go and what I would be doing which was provided before I started. It included showing me the whole process of software engineering including the impact it had on the end customer. I also got to see all the different teams and how their work related as well as getting time with the HR team to see how technology was used in that department. The insight was well planned and gave me a really good alround exposure to understand how a business works.

Although they were very busy the atmosphere was very relaxed and welcoming. I also saw how different departments had different atmospheres depending on the nature of their work. As by example I spent time with the customer experience team to see how they used the software that had been developed for them. In this team as they were taking calls from customers they had a much more structured work day as the phones had to be covered, however the software engineers seemed to have more freedom as long as they met their deadlines. Generally everyone was extremely friendly and happy in their work.

Transport for London invested a lot of time in me particularly at a time when their software engineering team was really busy. They also gave me the opportunity to do some real work and teach me about a method of planning. A lot of people gave up their time to ensure I had a valuable experience. As I was only with them for a short time there was not formal training courses as this was not appropriate. I believe however they do provide a lot of training for longer internships.

It gave me a good idea. I learnt what working at Transport for London would involve although as I was there only a short time I only saw a small amount of the overall organisation. I did see however how it was different for different teams and it certainly confirmed that I preferred the way in which the software engineering team worked, being given the freedom to get their work done as long as they delivered what they needed to within the deadlines given.

It helped in that it was very clear that there was a strong culture of customer service and that all staff were focussed on ensuring anything they did ensured it resulted in a better experience for the customers who used their transport services. I did however see some variance in culture in the different teams I worked in although the customer was a common theme.

It was very valuable. I had always had an interest in computing and thought I wanted to follow a career in software engineering. However this re-inforced my interest and desire to follow that career and it was good to speak to the software engineers and hear how they had got to where they were.

As this was insight work experience it was agreed as work shadowing and therefore not paid. Whilst I was given the opportunity to do some work it was not expected as the purpose was to provide me with a taster and exposure. I was very happy with this arrangement.

Yes I met a lot of people whilst I was with them in different teams ranging from software engineering, customer services and the team in HR. I also met other work experience candidates who were there at the same time as me. There was a range of people right up to senior management.

I did not experience any networking or social events as I was only with them for a short period of time. However I was taken out to lunch and spent informal time with some of the staff at this time. I believe there are more networking opportunities if you do a longer internship with the organisation.

No this was not something I explored or asked about during my time with them. They therefore could have a number of activities but I just did not ask as this was not important to me for this particular insight experience. My main aim was to learn about the working environment and the job of a software engineer.

Yes definitely. There are a lot of different jobs available at Transport for London and it may not be a place you would immediately think of for software engineering. However the work they do is really interesting and has a real impact on people who work, live and visit London.