My name is Austin Bwanika and I’m currently working at Metricell as a Placement Software Developer. I joined the team for a 12-month placement programme while studying for a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the University of Surrey.
I heard about this placement through my university's jobs website, and I decided to apply because I saw it as an opportunity to develop learn new skills to help me in my academics for when I go back to university.
What does a typical day look like for you, and what kinds of projects have you been involved in?
A typical day starts with a team meeting where we share our current tasks and plans for the day. I work on the projects discussed in the meeting, incorporating any feedback from the team to improve my approach.
Since joining Metricell, I’ve been involved in a variety of projects, and I've had the opportunity to collaborate with various teams across departments. One of the projects I worked on involved deploying a new update to a customer platform following a software upgrade and I also contributed to a pilot project for an asset acquisition platform designed to support Tower Companies to streamline their workflows.
Currently, I’m working on a pothole detection project for SmartVision, Metricell’s sister brand, that is being used to help identify and categorise potholes on roads in the UK.
What have you learned so far - professionally or personally?
Professionally, I’ve learned the importance of presenting myself appropriately and upholding a professional attitude, including following the company’s dress code and conduct expectations.
On a personal level, I’ve developed greater resilience and perseverance, learning to stay focused and work through challenges. My communication skills have also improved through regular collaboration with colleagues across departments.
Additionally, I’ve strengthened my time management abilities by prioritising tasks to meet deadlines and gained a clearer appreciation of how effective teamwork can drive more innovative and efficient outcomes.
Are there any new skills or tools you’ve picked up during your time here, and how has the placement helped you apply what you've learned at university?
During my time at Metricell, I’ve picked a lot of skills including learning new coding languages such as React, JavaScript and SQL.
This placement has allowed me to apply the knowledge I've gained at university to real-world scenarios, showing how academic concepts are used in a professional setting. The experience will be invaluable in helping me succeed after I complete my degree.
The placement has given me the opportunity to express the knowledge I’ve gained from university by giving me a real-life scenario on how the information that I’ve learnt from university can be used in a professional setting. This will evidently help me once I finish my degree as it will give me the experience to excel.
What has been the highlight of your placement so far? Have there been any challenges, and if so, how have you overcome them?
The most enjoyable part of my placement has been stepping out of my comfort zone to take on new challenges and contribute to projects used by many people daily. This responsibility motivates me to produce high-quality work.
While I’ve faced challenges—such as getting stuck on complex problems—I’ve learned to overcome them by seeking support from more experienced colleagues, which has helped me grow both technically and personally.
Have you had the chance to contribute to any meaningful projects?
It’s been especially rewarding to work on projects that support public and essential services, such as my current project for Metricell’s sister brand SmartVision. The project helps monitor road inconsistencies to monitor this public infrastructure with the aim of ensuring it remains safe and well-maintained. This project focuses on monitoring road inconsistencies with the help of AI and aims to help this public infrastructure to remain safe and reliable.
How would you describe the workplace culture? What support have you received from the team during your placement?
I would say that the company culture is one of togetherness and is supportive, especially when the team is working on a large project. Even if you’re handling a large piece of work on your own, there’s a shared sense that you’re not alone and that everyone is in it together.
During my time at Metricell, I’ve received a lot of mentoring and I’ve had different mentors for different parts of the business. One helped me learn SQL, another guided me through JavaScript, and someone else helped me settle into the company and understand the culture, making it easier to integrate and feel part of the team.
I was pleasantly surprised by the trust the company places in its employees. I’ve felt that trust a lot through the responsibilities I’ve been given on various projects, where I do my best to deliver work to a high standard and in line with the project’s requirements.
How do you think this experience will help shape your future career?
I think this experience will be valuable in the future, as it has helped me feel more comfortable at work - particularly when it comes to interacting with colleagues and building professional relationships. Additionally, the technical skills I’ve developed will serve me well on future projects, as I now have a solid foundation that will make it easier to take on new tasks with confidence.
Just for fun – are there any fun facts or hidden talents your team might not know about? What’s your go-to snack or drink to get through the day?
I was the team captain for my High School Baseball team and I’m very big fan of whenever there are Oreos in the kitchen!
