Software Engineer Review

The firm is very big and I got to work for big companies while I was here. The work environment was pretty good, colleagues could not be any more encouraging and helpful. Considering I was an IP I still was given grad level work which was challenging but at same time good learning experience.

Colleagues have been very appreciating including line manager. The expectations are high for an IP level but I found it helping to push me to produce high standard work.

I would say support for finding your first project was not sufficient as it should have been but once it kicked off everything was smooth. Support from colleague and line manager was magnificent I had to admit this.

This depends on the project I was on and in what phase the project is in. Talking about my first project which was in defect fixing phase, where I was relatively busy. During my last project I was very busy due to the project is about to go live.

I was given many responsibilities on my first project from testing to bug fixing but I was given enough training and knowledge transfer session to start with which I believe helped me to get starting.

This project helped me to enhance my transferable skills as well as technical skills. I learned new technical skills which I was told is hot skill and a lot of demand. In terms of using these skills in final year study, I would say I would be using technical skills in final year of my degree.

Atmosphere depends on the project you are on. Some projects are very busy therefore most of the time you will find people stressing and working to deliver the project. But from time to time project organizes events to lift up the team spirits. End of the day it depends on you what kind of environment you would prefer. I would say I enjoyed busy environment. Overall the environment I was in was pretty good and I enjoyed working in this environment.

We had an orientation of two days then sent for training, The initial training you are given depends on your background and degree and you do not get preferences, but the other training you can register yourself and attend, it could be in UK or abroad. Overall I would say it was organised at a decent standard it could have been better organised and had the first project ready for all the IP students.

I was given enough training that I need to do my job apart from this you can also take training which you like regardless if its relevant to the project or not. To start with I was placed onto Java training which aligned to my skills and then the following training were align to project or to my interest. I also did web development training which was of my interest. There are so many training available that you can select from. After training you can also do examination for certification but this has to be approved by HR.

Looking at the stats most of the interns are given an offer and this likely to continue but your line managers play a play crucial role here. If they think you worth the offer you will be offered. Best bet would be do whatever you are ask to do and if you having hard time please flag it up as help is given. If you find yourself in high work pressure, and you are not able to cope with it I would suggest to escalate it to colleagues or manager as they are always there to help you.

From time to time, there has been events organised to catch/meet up with the colleagues from same team and from all over UK. I had attended many events organised by projects and firm. In my first project we used to have event every other week, this could be movie night, drinks, sports and etc. In my second project, the frequency dropped to once a month, there was event organised once a month due to the project was very busy and a lot work needed to be done.

The only downside of this placement I would say is the living cost in London. Living cost in London is quite high and you tend to spend all your earning in London. From rent to travel expense, I would say you will end up spending all your earning living in London. Food was of reasonable price. Some of my colleagues were sent out of London, in that case you will be given reasonable allowance to spend for room, travel and food.

Well nightlife is really hectic in London as London never sleeps. There were events organised by this firm as well. You can also go out with friends at anytime of the night or day :) . I remember we had a Christmas party which lasted till late and which was a good social event, I get to meet people from all over the UK at this event. There have been many more events organised as well from time to time to catch up and socialize.

You are given 3 charity days, this could be picked from a list given or you can suggest your own as long as its charity. But for IP student there was a charity event organised to collect fund for one of charity trust. You will be put to groups and told to do an event for entire day to collect fund. You get to decide how/where you want to raise the fund, there is no restriction as long as health and safety are taken into account. I am not sure if this specific event continues next year as well.