FAQs - Graduates

What's this ThoughtWorks University you keep talking about?

It's our way of bring people without experience, but with great aptitude into the ThoughtWorks team. You can find out more at ThoughtWorks University.

What's with the name?

The original name of the program was 'Global Boot Camp' - something most people felt was good and described how new hires would be trained once they joined TW. Unfortunately, this name doesn't work so well when it comes to crossing borders. Everyone involved had to be instructed to say 'technical training course' when going through immigration at airports and border crossings, so we wouldn't cause any alarm. Apparently, that still didn't matter, because a ThoughtWorker unrelated to the GBC was stopped at an airport and asked 'what is this 'Global Boot Camp' thing all about?'

In the search of a new name that still sounded catchy but had less of a militant edge, we threw around a few names for the next round of training. There was a big push to call it 'Neville Singham's School for the Gifted', but we decided on ThoughtWorks University.

We're not trying to be pompous nor are we full of ourselves. We just needed to find a name we could use consistently that summed up what it was all about.

When does the ThoughtWorks University happen?

We run two University intakes each year. The dates aren't set in stone but generally are in January/February and July/August. We're happy for people to apply for roles while they are undergraduates, please mention when you would like to start on your covering letter.

What sort of people are you looking for?

Check out our Careers pages for our latest roles and job descriptions.

Do you hire Graduate Project Managers?

Not at the moment. We have hired Developers, QA/Testers and Analysts in the past, but our exact requirement change every year. We may not hire each role every time, please check out the requirements of the country you're interested in on the careers site.

I'm not a graduate, can I apply?

We're afraid not. Things might change in the future but for the time being this scheme is open to graduates and graduates with no more than a year in technology.

What's Bangalore like?

For six weeks, you'll be living in one of the fastest growing cities in all of Asia. It is India's 3rd largest city and 5th largest metropolitan area, with a 2001 population of about 6.5 million people. Within the last decade, Bangalore has become known to some as the Silicon Valley of India, due to the strong growth of IT in the area. Bangalore goes by many other names as well, including the Garden City and the Pub Capital of India.

Overall, Bangalore offers a variety of experiences. Dig in to traditional Indian cuisine by trying idly and masala dosa, staples of southern India; visit the Bull Temple, Lalbagh Garden and City Market. You can also see how Bangalore is transforming into a metropolitan city by visiting vibrant nightclubs, sparkling new shopping malls, and a variety of international restaurants.

As for shopping in Bangalore, you'll have no problems finding places to buy traditional Indian handicrafts or even your favourite Hugo Boss shirt.

The weather is temperate year-round. Expect highs of 30 degrees Celsius and sunny skies during the day, and lows of 20 degrees at night.

Do I have to pay to go?

Of course not! We consider this our investment in you. ThoughtWorks pay for the following:

• Accommodation, including maid service
• Flights
• Airport pick up and drop off for work-related travel
• Work/visitor visas
• Immunizations
• Budgeted monthly long-distance calls (using your SIM card)
• Weekday lunch provided at the training facility and in-house at the TWI office

You are responsible for:

• Gym and health memberships
• Personal spending and transport
• Group or individual meals outside of the office
• Transport to and from the airport for personal travel
• All long distance phone calls above budgeted amount
• Breakfast and dinner
• Laundry charges. 

I need a visa to work for you. Can you help?

ThoughtWorks is proud to have hired people from a myriad of different countries and try to sponsor visas for many of our offices, when and if circumstances permit. Please make a note on your application that you require sponsorship and we'll get back to you.

What kind of package will I receive?

Graduates are entitled to the full ThoughtWorks benefits package offered in the country they apply to.

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