Placement Year Review at IBM

The Role

Role Description

2011 IBM – Client Procurement Support on Southwest One
(Joint Venture between IBM, Somerset County Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council and Avon and Somerset Police)
IBM (Working on Southwest One Ltd project): Industrial Placement
• Client site based work as focal point of contact for the client in resolving issues around the IBM procurement process.
• Work under pressure to meet objectives and client demands.
• Contributed to training workshops for the three clients in procurement processes.
• Handle Tenders for the clients in a professional and valid fashion in accordance with company regulations
• High value Purchasing for IBM on a daily basis responsibly. Manipulate spreadsheets and work in SAP to provide purchase orders to the business
• Maintain/ initiate Supplier relationships and press for savings where possible.
• Initiate better processes to incorporate in the working environment.
• Be an ambassador for IBM in Southwest One.
Skills developed: Auditable working practices, Tender and supplier selection process, the ability to remain neutral in sensitive situations, working in the public and a competitive corporate sector in one workplace- a highly complex and unique business environment. Deliver presentations to important clients and rejection handling, balance an extremely high workload with client demands and queries and experience working in SAP procurement function.

08/2009- 06/2010 (Volunteer- Outreach Development Worker) –Currently a Management Committee Member
Bristol Pakistani Community Welfare Organisation: Volunteered for 500 +hours
• Supported the manager in maintaining and implementing daily routine tasks
• Developed and managed a database system of monitoring and evaluating Service Users participation and progression
• Contributed to Planning and Delivery of various Social and Cultural events in consultation of target community
• Maintained Petty Cash records in accordance with company regulations
• Providing basic Business Support to the manager and advocacy support to Service Users for example form-filling and making enquiries on their behalf.
• Developed communication skills and awareness to turn community’s needs into actions.
• Started and manage independent projects for Youth activities targeting ethnic minorities.
Skills developed: Office work and daily professional routine checks enhanced my skills in Organising and Planning. The role in the organisation required a high level of competency,
Reliability, essential communication skills and attention to detail with limited supervision

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

I had a challenging, and yet an amazing experience working in this multinational corporation. Even though I was a remote worker, working on a client site for 15 months, My Professional Development Manager was always on call. The level of training was excellent and as a student I was enrolled on courses where colleagues were attending from global branches. I impressed my colleagues as a result of networking during the recognised IBM supplier negotiation technique program and got fantastic feedback where some colleagues stated interest to work with me in South Africa! I was offered an opportunity to participate on a vital client audit and was appreciated on the UKI executive level as well as given the opportunity to shadow the CEO.In IBM there truly are no limits to participation, progression, increase eminence and impress executives as well as fully realise your potential and get to "try out" a grad role with real responsibilities and a fantastic team-on for size!

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

We had a Christmas do, an After- Audit Party AND my Leaving-do! Team were like family- they understood when I had to disappear due to emergencies as well.

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was often working on my own, but a collaborative approach was the norm in the office. We would give each other a shout if something was unclear and similarly, I was sought out if they needed my help/advice as well.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 1/10

I was on a client site, so I was too busy- no real time for my dissertation project and long days 10-14 hours!

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was completely in charge of most aspects of my role- I was free to develop my role according to my own interest and enhance what IBM calls "eminence" -which is simply put: popularity with execs and amongst the IBM community!

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I feel that I learnt all my negotiation techniques, better and diplomatic argumentative techniques from experienced professionals which could have taken me years to pick up and polish on my own!

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

We were client focused office and only three people in- often just me- so quite dull.

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

I wouldn't say it was the worst, but being a remote employee a lot could have been done to integrate me with other students. All events for Industrial Trainees were great though!

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I was on renowned courses and bespoke training modules such as Supplier Negotiation Courses where I had a chance to network in the Global IBM community and I felt IBM is extremely supportive in terms of training and treats employees- Yes, even students as a crucial resource and they are willing to invest in us!

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

• Flexi Time
• Subsidised Canteen
• Sports and Social Club
• National Travel
• Financial Bonus
• Company Parties/Events
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop
• Working from home

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

I would like to go back in IBM after a much more enhanced portfolio of skills than i have currently in order to progress quickly within the organisation.

Other Information

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 1/10

No other students where I was based- and all my team lived away as well- no signs of anysocial life!

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

approximately £500 per month everything included!

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 1/10

like i said- non existent

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 1/10

No- this was a dull area

In addition to these questions, is there any extra information you would like to leave about your experiences on your work placement that other students may be interested in?

IBM offers endless progression and development opportunities as well as networking at a senior level- I was shadowing the CEO and conversing with her almost every week- the visibility is ideal. Being on a client site project I was the IBM Ambassador and quite proud of it too! You always get appreciated for your work in IBM and not treated like a student- but as a valued employee. This was one of the best years of my life, professionally and I wold recommend IBM placement opportunities to every student out there!

Review 148/182 for IBM

Previous Next