Why it was the right R&D placement for me?

I think it’s safe to say that a lot of development opportunities in the market will be very similar in experience and you will be picking up those similar skills throughout.

While you will still get that standard experience at Macro 4, it has also supplied a very unique perspective. Working for a mainframe software development house in the modern day, I was given the chance to experience the rich history of computer science both from the perspective of the company that has been there from the roots, as well as one that is still evolving and keeping up with the fast-paced environment of software development.

Working on the more unfamiliar elements has certainly been an enjoyable challenge, but it has not been one that I’ve had to walk alone. As everyone at Macro 4 is really supportive and more than happy to help with any problems that come in my direction.

What work do you do on your R&D placement?

Day to day, my main tasks are to work on the projects that were assigned to me at the beginning of the year. These tasks are focused on the creation of modern interfaces for existing mainframe applications, where I am able to provide some insight into what may be expected of a modern application. Getting to play a key role in the development of these products you feel a lot of trust from other members of staff.

Being responsible for your own projects allows you the freedom to fully familiarize yourself with the project and properly learn the context around the areas you will be working on. Ultimately, it helps you to write better code and develop your technical skills as you continue to improve as a developer.

As placement students, on top of the regular duties, you get the opportunity to spend time with different departments around the company and see what it would be like to work within those areas, as well as getting to go on trips around the country to visit mainframe events and customers.

What are the highlights of being a placement student at Macro 4?

During my time at Macro 4, my personal highlights were the events we got the opportunity to attend; it was great to meet so many experts in the field who were more than willing to answer any of the questions we threw at them.

Additionally, my highlight within the workplace is definitely getting to work with my teams on meaningful projects like enhancing web interfaces for our InSync and TraceMaster DevOps products, right up until release. This is giving me a full picture of the development process in a professional environment, allowing for me to feel comfortable returning to university knowing what to expect from a job after graduating.

What’s next for me?

Throughout the year, I have used the extra time to consider different ideas for my final year project, giving me a head start on making my project proposals and finding a suitable project advisor to support me in it.

The year spent as a placement student at Macro 4 has been an extremely valuable and rewarding experience. After everything that I have learnt throughout the year, I find myself well prepared for the final stretch of my university course as well as for whatever may follow it.  The experience of applying to Macro 4 and the support I’ve received within the company are readying me for future positions within the industry.