Software Cornwall, with the help of their members, are hosting and supporting their annual work experience project week from 18th – 22nd July 2022.
This work experience week will see up to 30 students work for a week as a software engineering team on a development project alongside industry professionals. The week is organised so the students can gain real experience in software development and delivery in a working environment.
Read all the information below, and if you would like to be considered for a work experience placement at Software Cornwall, please complete the online application form.
Applications
This year the Mission to Mars Work Experience will be from 18th-22nd July 2022. It will be held at the FibreHub in Pool. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer other dates or locations. If your school work experience is on an alternative week, please speak to your teacher as you may be able to change your dates to be able to attend.
With the introduction of a virtual work experience during 2020 we are now able to offer a virtual experience alongside the real one. To do this we would require sufficient numbers to create the remote teams. The advantage for a remote experience is that there would be no requirement for the commute every morning to the location. Cornwall is a long county and this commute could be over an hour each way. Offering the virtual experience enables those really too far away to participate. The remote experience is not easier than the real one. In fact because it is remote there are some extra skills and knowledge added to it.
All applicants will be notified by the end of February as to whether your application was successful or not, with later applications notified on a rolling basis if places are available. Please ensure the email address you put on the form is correct, as we will use this to contact you.
Name of Contact for Work Experience:
Robert Wiltshire
Software Cornwall
FibreHub,
Trenance Lane
Pool,
Cornwall,
TR15 3GF
About Software Cornwall
Software Cornwall is an open and collaborative group of Software Development enterprises, education providers and business support organisations based in Cornwall working together to grow the software engineering sector in Cornwall. Software Cornwall Ltd is a Not-For-Profit organisation.
A key objective of Software Cornwall is to support young people into careers in software engineering.
Recently members have been delighted, but overwhelmed by requests for work experience. Due to the nature of the industry, it is difficult to provide an engaging and hands-on experience placement for students meaning places are in short supply.
To solve this problem companies have decided to collaborate and volunteer their time and developers to help run a work experience week for students that will give you a practical and fun experience of working as a software engineer building digital products and solutions.
The Experience
As part of the Software Cornwall experience, you will work on a project with other students with a software expert as your mentor. You will learn how to create and deliver a software product as part of a development team during the week.
For the experience, your group will take the form of an exciting new startup that has won a contract to deliver a software-driven product. In teams, you will work on a number of challenges in order to fulfil the contract. You will learn how to identify, code, test and deliver your solution.
On the final day, you will have the opportunity to present your work to local employers and developers, and talk to them more about their businesses, jobs, and career opportunities as well as getting advice on the best pathway to working in the software sector in Cornwall.
The work experience week is supported by the members of Software Cornwall including;
Software Engineer Job
From creating embedded software for products like electric bikes to water purifiers, or producing professional data logging and performance analysis solutions for motorsport and sailing applications, the Bluefruit team build quality software solutions.
Robert Wiltshire will be the lead mentor for the week, who works in Education Outreach for Software Cornwall. He has created web sites for business but is a digital creator interested in the Internet of Things and LoRaWan.
Job Description
Job Title: Software Engineer
Hours: Monday 18th July – Friday 22nd July 2022. 09:30 – 16:00
Main Function: A unique opportunity to be part of an exciting new start-up company that has won a contract to deliver a software driven product.
As part of our development team, you will help to deliver the solution and overcome challenges in order to fulfill this new contract.
You will learn how to identify, code and test your solution as part of your role.
Please be aware this business has been made up for the Software Cornwall experience and is entirely fictional. The startup seed funding and financial rewards paid to the teams as part of the experience are also a figment of your imagination.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities & Attributes
Must be a good time-keeper.
Smart appearance. Dress code is smart casual clothing.
Good communication skills and a friendly manner.
Enthusiastic approach to learning and working.
The ability to comply with instruction and follow set systems.
The ability to work with others and independently.
The ability to be flexible and adaptable in dealing with different tasks and changing situations.
Special Knowledge & Skills
An interest in Computer Science and Software Engineering.
Knowledge of coding would be an advantage but is not essential.
General Information
Travel: You will be expected to get yourself to and from the Software Cornwall work experience every day.
FibreHub, Trenance Lane, Pool, TR15 3GF
Arrival: You should arrive for work on time each day and head for the Conference Room and let the team know you have arrived.
Induction including Health and Safety: On your first day, you will be given a health and safety briefing, including emergency procedures, before you begin any work. You will be shown around the premises and introduced to the staff. Before your placement begins, you will be given the name of your link person and if at any point during the week you are late or ill, please contact this person as soon as possible.
Lunch: One hour (time to be agreed: normally 12.30pm until 1.30pm, although lunchtimes may vary due to your work programme on a given day). You will be required to bring a packed lunch or alternatively, you can purchase your lunch from the café on site which serves sandwiches, snacks, and drinks.
Programme for the Week: Your individual programme for the week will be given to you on your first day.
Working with different members of staff/mentors: During the week, you will have a chance of working alongside our mentors and have the opportunity to carry out different tasks and duties that they will advise and support you to complete. These tasks and duties are all subject to change and the mentors may vary from day to day. We hope that you will be flexible in your approach to your work experience!
Please complete your application using the form linked below: