Computer scientist EFZ application development: Deborah Kurmann's experience report - with this training I can later help shape software development as a computer scientist EFZ application development

Who are you and what kind of apprenticeship are you doing?

My name is Deborah Kurmann. I completed my tenth year at school. I am currently doing a school-based apprenticeship at WISS as a computer scientist EFZ application development. I'm currently in the second year of the EFZ computer scientist apprenticeship. In the summer, after two years of pure schooling, I will start a two-year internship as part of my training.

Why did you decide to train as an EFZ Application Development IT Specialist?

I decided to train as an EFZ application development computer scientist because I've always been interested in building computer programs. I find this a very exciting area. I also really enjoy "coding" in itself.

Why did you choose WISS as your educational partner?

I have chosen a private school for myTraining as a computer scientist EFZ or computer scientist EFZapplication development, as my brother had also completed his training at a private school. At WISS, I was particularly impressed by the friendly on-site interview. After that, the decision was easy for me.

What do you like best about the WISS School?

What I like best about the WISS school is the atmosphere and the way the teachers interact with the students. We students can always ask the teachers questions, even outside the school hours of the EFZ computer science apprenticeship. It doesn't matter whether they relate directly to the lessons or whether they are just privately interested in a project, for example. I think that's really great.

What were the challenges you faced during your apprenticeship as an EFZ Application Development IT Specialist?

What was a bit difficult for me at the beginning was the fact that the computer scientist EFZ apprenticeship is purely school-based. You learn all the theory, which you then have to apply in your free time in order to know the practical application for the exam. If you do a conventional apprenticeship as a computer scientist EFZ application development, you only learn theory two days a week and can then apply it in the company the rest of the week. In my form of apprenticeship as a computer scientist EFZ application development, this practical application takes place in my free time. Over time, however, I've realized that studying all at once also has the great advantage that you stay in the material and can progress faster and more intensively. I myself really appreciate the high proportion of school today.

What do you learn on the EFZ Computer Scientist EFZ Application Development course?

In the EFZ Computer Scientist EFZ Application Development course, you learn the basics of computer science, general information about the structure of a computer, operating systems and how the individual components work together. Later on, you will also learn the basics of building a website or a program. In the second year of the computer scientist EFZ apprenticeship, you can then choose to specialize in application development or platform development (everything to do with the PC such as operating systems, PC assembly and components, project management for ICT solutions). My specialization focuses on "coding". This includes planning options, programming languages and test environments to develop software (applications) in the form of websites or programs. Another specialization would be business IT, which WISS does not currently offer.

How does the internship search work?

WISS supports us in our search for internships. We receive addresses where we can apply for an internship. During the internship in an IT company, the knowledge previously acquired in the full-time IT apprenticeship EFZ can be directly applied and deepened. The interns continue to attend classes at WISS for half a day a week.

When do you like it most in the computer scientist EFZ lessons?

The lessons consist of presentations by teachers, learning with the books and group or individual work. What I like most about the computer scientist EFZ application development lessons is when we are allowed to develop and present something ourselves.

What has been your best experience at WISS so far?

The coolest thing about WISS is being together with my "classmates" or school colleagues. Working on projects together during the computer scientist EFZ apprenticeship is a great thing and you become good colleagues. I can be together with people who have the same interests as me during the EFZ Application Development IT Specialist apprenticeship. For example, I animated an educational video with a school colleague. We created a website around it, integrated the video and wrote documentation for it. My colleague had so much fun that he now also animates videos in his free time.

Can you also use something from the EFZ computer scientist apprenticeship in your private life?

In my private life, for example, I can help friends maintain their websites. I have already acquired the necessary knowledge for this in my EFZ IT apprenticeship.

How was the atmosphere in the class?

As we are a small class in the computer scientist EFZ apprenticeship, the teachers have a lot of time for us and can also look after us individually. Even though I am the only woman, I feel very comfortable in the class. I have a really cool class in the computer scientist EFZ application development apprenticeship and it's always very "chilled".

What do you need to be like to complete an EFZ Application Development IT Specialist apprenticeship?

I think you should complete the EFZ Application Development IT Specialist apprenticeship if you enjoy learning and don't shy away from a lot of theory. You also need to be able to work independently, as you have to implement a lot of independent projects, especially in the second year. You have to do it with conviction, because there are also stressful times. You should definitely like being on the computer, but the people in my class are very different. It's difficult to pinpoint a specific type for the computer scientist EFZ application development apprenticeship. Some spend all their free time on the computer, while others do a lot of sport.

What do people "code"?

Some of my classmates in the computer scientist EFZ course like to program USB sticks, which then trigger an action on the computer. Others like to set up a server. Or make changes to websites. One of my fellow computer scientist EFZ students programs extensions for games such as Minecraft, which he has been doing since he was 11 years old. He is now passing on his knowledge to his favorite classmate.

How much time did you invest in your training at home in addition to your EFZ computer scientist training?

Learning alongside school varies. There were weeks when I was studying at home every day during the computer scientist EFZ apprenticeship. Depending on the module or subject, there were also weeks when there was nothing to do at all. I spent more time on theoretical subjects.

What did the EFZ computer scientist apprenticeship bring you personally?

I never used to study for an exam. This was no longer possible with the EFZ IT apprenticeship. In the beginning, I had to find out how much time it would take. But now it's going very well and I can prepare well for exams.

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