Software Developer Review

It was fantastic. I was in charge of developing Mobile PDA software to provide companies with mobile workforce solutions. I learnt a great deal of programming knowledge in my year at Cognito, including C, C++ and C#. I also learnt how to develop using an Agile software devlopment methodology.

No-one was afraid to lend a supportive ear and due to my strong progress whilst their I was invited to join some of the most high profile projects being undertaken ny the company at the time.

My then manager was incredibly supportive, offering a range of advice in all the areas I was working in. Even during the last weeks of the placfement, I was still learning presentation skills from them and picking up one or two of their managerial traits.

I was often busy, fixing this or coding that, and it wasn't often that, when my time wasn't spent doing the core of the work designated to me, I was not off in some meeting or solution based training session. It was full on and I enjoyed that.

Loads! In terms of being involved in the important things, owning my own code or project etc. I was definitely running the show. However, because I was often so busy, I unfortunately did not get a chance to stretch my leadership muscles.

I am currently back at University and using my coding, development, team woprking and presentation skills on a daily basis. I definitely have th upper hand on my peers and lecturers and project supervisors recognise this and entrust responsibilities accordingly.

We had a great time, lots of work getting done, but everyone knew how to have fun and relax too. There was never a dull moment and I remember fondly all of the memories taken away from the place.

At first it was a bit of a rocky start, with me finding my feet and the company guaging my abilities. But after about a month everything clicked and it was plain sailing from then on. The tasks and projects for me were organised, concise and taught me the right things at the right times.

I was invited on the company retreats and team building weekends whenever they were scheduled.n Most of the training I recieved however, was very informal, but importantly was one on one, normally with one of the most senior developers in my team!

The future with Cognito looks very promising.

Nights out in Newbury and Reading, weekends of this and social events of that. I made great friends there and intend for it to remain that way.

I commuted from Reading which is fairly expensive to live in, however I'm used to this and a company car pool from day one of the placement eased alot of my worries about travel costs.

Newbury isn't bad, but I tended towards the nights out in Reading as I lived there. Reading has quite a few clubs and bars, and is only a ~25 miute train ride away from London.

Yep, I joined the Gym with fellow team mates and I.P's and saw it through for a good 8 months. Other than that there was the general socialising etc.