DVLA welcomes new talent through various programmes designed to give students real-world experience in digital technology roles. As part of our series looking at DVLA’s Year in Industry programme today we hear from Tuhin Rashid. Turin is a Year in Industry student completing a master’s in software engineering from Cardiff University.
As part of my master’s I’ve spent the past year at DVLA as a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) on their Year in Industry programme.
Starting my SDET journey at DVLA
I joined DVLA looking to gain practical experience in software testing and to build my technical skills in a supportive environment. Initially, I was quite shy about getting involved, spending my early days learning the basics and getting familiar with new systems.
As time went on, I became more confident in my abilities and started to actively apply what I was learning to daily work, contributing directly to DVLA’s digital transformation efforts.
One important skill I gained was debugging. At first, fixing bugs seemed daunting, but working with real code helped me understand the functionality. I learned to solve problems methodically, step by step. I particularly enjoyed learning both behaviour-driven and test-driven development approaches, which are crucial for ensuring software quality.
The placement has allowed me to improve my essential soft skills. By participating in and sometimes leading daily stand-ups, I’ve developed my confidence in my communication and leadership abilities.
Pair-programming sessions taught me the true value of collaboration. Meanwhile, juggling various project responsibilities helped sharpen my planning and time management skills.
Overcoming challenges with mentorship and support
Having a Senior SDET as my mentor was instrumental in my development. They guided me when I got stuck and helped set clear learning goals, while encouraging me to solve problems independently before stepping in. This approach significantly improved my confidence and technical abilities.
The SDET community at DVLA is incredibly supportive. Everyone was willing to share their knowledge, answer questions, and help me navigate challenges. My squad welcomed me warmly and gave me the space to develop at my own pace, making my transition into the professional environment much smoother.
Project highlights
Some of my proudest achievements included setting up YARP (Yet Another Report Portal) and transitioning from Selenium to Cuprite web-drivers. Adapting to Cuprite pushed me to find innovative solutions, while creating YARP was especially rewarding as it gave us a central, visually appealing platform to check test results across all our squad’s work.
These projects allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge from my studies in practical ways, reinforcing my understanding and building valuable skills for my career.
Looking ahead
This Year in Industry placement has shaped my career path significantly. With the ever-evolving technology landscape at DVLA, it’s an exciting place to work, and I’m grateful for the foundation I’ve built here.
To future SDET placement students: grab every opportunity and don’t be afraid to step into leadership roles. Work hard, get involved and be ready for the fast-changing tech industry.
If I could tell my past self one thing, it would be to fully embrace the experience and step out of your comfort zone earlier. DVLA offers a supportive environment and is a great place to start your tech journey. Use the opportunity to learn and build a strong foundation for your career in software development and testing.
I’m excited to use everything I’ve learned in my future roles.
Keen to find out more? Check out the development programmes that DVLA offers here.
