When I started searching for companies that could give me the chance to get the most out of my year in industry, I was mainly looking for the following 3 things:  

1. Apply my programming knowledge, and the opportunity to learn and develop 
2. Getting a grasp of how the industry actually works 
3. A professional yet friendly and relaxed work environment

ProspectSoft has not only delivered all 3, but has also given me better understanding of how important my placement year is, and I’ve already gained so much experience in the workplace.  

A University course will never compare to the experience you get by working side by side with full time employees. Whether they’re from the same department or not, whether they share the same background as you or not, there is a lot to learn from everybody around you in the workplace, and I’ve learnt that you can’t hesitate to ask questions. This was one of the first things we were taught when we started here – ‘don’t be afraid to ask’. And there were (and still are) a lot of questions to ask!

During training, I learned so much – not just about the software that ProspectSoft develop and sell, but the values that ProspectSoft hold as a company. I’ve now settled into the Development department, and some 100s of lines of code later, I’ve experienced first-hand how to build web components for our solution, and have further developed my knowledge of the Azure technologies.  

I’m proud to say that within these first few months of being at ProspectSoft, my first bit of software was deployed to our inhouse version of the product (and I got a mention in the Pizza Friday session about my hard work from the Development Director!). Whilst working here, I have been able to apply programming and software engineering knowledge that I picked up in my Computer Science degree. This has felt so rewarding, as I’ve been able to implement my University knowledge into the work place, and feel as though my ideas are already being taken on board by senior members of the Dev team.  

On a less technical note, I’ve developed other skills like time management and sticking to a clear work schedule, and I know that this will only positively influence my productivity when I return to University for my final year. I feel so lucky to have met so many great people and made new friends at ProspectSoft, and know that they will be friends for life! 

All of this has been achieved in just 3 months, and I’m already looking forward to what the rest of the year has in store for me!