Laura

What is it that you do?

I am a Software Engineer within Insights & Data in Telford.

What does a day in the life look like for you?

My day usually starts with a stand up with my team where we will discuss what we will be doing for the day. I will then develop my skills in a specific area required within the team e.g. improving SQL skills. I go through JIRA documentation and ask questions to help to develop the area so that new starters to the team will have a comprehensive area to follow to get the best start into the team.

Depending on the project I will work through auditing customer projects. I will complete system and component testing when required. To keep my knowledge of the practice up to date I will join any relevant calls discussing the future of the practice, I also attend any apprentice calls and give feedback when relevant.

What advice would you give to students looking to apply to Capgemini?

Look up the Capgemini values and ensure to embody them. Also look into all the great things Capgemini is doing for the environment ensure that it aligns with your personal values. I would also look into the various projects Capgemini has completed and see if that`s what you want to do in the future. Try to give a unique perspective in the interview, think outside the box. Overall, just be very friendly and enthusiastic Capgemini loves people who are willing to learn and develop.

What is your favourite thing about working at Capgemini?

There is a lot of things that I love about working at Capgemini. The key aspect that is my favourite is the flexibility this can be with hybrid working where I get the benefits of both working from home and in an office setting. It is also the flexibility to learn and take a path which you want to develop in. For example, you want to learn about agile working there is a course on that, or you want to become certified in AWS cloud services you can do. I love being able to have a choice on how I can develop my career and skills within Capgemini via both soft and technical skills. Capgemini’s focus on social value also gives you the flexibility to volunteer if you want to. Overall, it’s amazing having so much freedom to develop.

What is your favourite Capgemini value?

Fun is definitely my favourite. I truly believe that it embodies everyone who works at Capgemini everyone is always very happy, friendly and welcoming. Of course, there is a balance and people are fun but also serious when the time requires it. It feels like you make true connections with the people. I feel like you need to be able to enjoy your job which having fun enables you to.

What are you studying and what made you choose an apprenticeship?

Digital and Technology solutions.

I feel like apprenticeships are the future, I see it as a win win you get an education for free whilst also developing your work-based skills. You can only learn so much via going traditional routes. Soft skills which you learn from being in a workplace are vital to develop within your career. You can also learn additional technical skills which are specific for your area or can help you to go into different areas of the business such as cloud and AI skills.

Overall, it gives you a massive head start to your career as by time you have finished your degree you have already spent three years in industry whilst if you just completed your degree, you will have three years less industry experience. Being an apprentice also gives you an opening to various opportunities within the company which you wouldn`t know about if you joined a company as a new grad.

What has your journey as a Woman in Tech been like?

Primary school: I’ve always had a love for design and technology as well as math’s – I was awarded the design and technology award!

High school: My love for design and technology continued, I would spend all my time designing various things using various software I have never used before for all areas of technology such as graphics, resistant materials, textiles, electronics. I always wanted to know how things worked and how something I could see on a software would look like in a physical realm. I also completed work experience at an external employer, within this I found my love for coding as I was given an Ardunio and told to complete various projects. This formed that I wanted to go into technology, especially coding.

A-levels: Because of my work experience I chose to go into physics and math’s. However, I felt like A levels weren’t personally for me as I wanted hand on experience in industry.

College: I completed an apprenticeship which revolved around A-level Maths, Business and physics. In the last year of college, I was required to complete a project to help aid my workplace. My final project was a carbon brush sensor where I had coded an Ardunio (GUI included) to use a 4d systems HDMI to read a motors voltage via a carbon tipped brush and display that reading. This was to hold with a prevalent issue with bearing currents as the voltage being read can determine the current straining the bearing. Note when I say motors I don’t mean cars I mean servo, AC,DC motors which as used in conveyors, robotics, ride engineering etc.

Work: Within my first technical career I went into the electronics department as an apprentice where I went onto sites and helped to retrofit various drives such as SP drives, I also helped to program those drives. I would also help with finding faults with various drives, motors etc. When drives came in I also helped with diagnosing faults and fixing the faults.

I won an award for my part within the fixing, testing and diagnosis of ibot cards which were conveyor belts which were programmed to move across warehouses to pick up boxes. Due to covid I began to train as a hybrid engineer apprentice in both servo and electronics. But due to the previous servo workshop manager leaving I took up the role as the manager within this role I managed servo engineers via allocating work, speaking to customers, scheduling training as well as helping as a servo engineer. As a servo engineer, I used various software’s to help to run, diagnosis and fix various motor types such as indramat and siemens etc. I also programmed

Capgemini: Whilst working at my previous job I always came back to the thought of my work experience and how I wanted to program so I decided to apply for Capgemini as I wanted a career within programming and coding as it was where my passion lay.

What would your advice be for students looking to get into tech?

Start practicing programming skills in various languages so you have various areas you can go into. Don`t limit yourself if you have an interest in a non “tech” subject you can still go into technology it will give a vital insight which is needed such as psychology and cyber security. I would make sure to read about a company’s values and look up the company on Glassdoor to ensure you have applied for a inclusive workplace.

Had you heard of Capgemini before joining?

I had heard of Capgemini before, the key things I remember is their inclusive front and love for innovation. I had also heard of “Get The Future You Want”, which is their brand promise. Capgemini had gone above my expectations; they really care about their employees, from development through to supporting their wellbeing. It’s incredible to be a part of an environment where people are looking towards the future and beyond! It really helps to foster an environment of growth and development.