Placement Year Review at IBM

The Role

Role Description

My roles included managing the IBM brand, this required me to give out the guidelines for the IBM logo and give approval for its usage. I looked after all mid market advertising, pulling together the information for print and on-line advertising. Additionally I was responsible for the mid market ad-hoc advertising where I worked closely with IBM marketers and the advertising agency Ogilvy, acting as the point of contact to get advertising into market on time. Some of my tasks included collecting information and images for the online and print advertsing, organising the filming of web videos, helping at large events, organised Google search engine marketing.
I also assisted with all Wimbledon tennis Championships advertising as IBM sponsor them. I organised and chaired all the meetings and worked for the two week duration of the actual championships onsite organising tours for the clients of IBM's hospitality suites around IBM's tecnical rooms. I also managed an Kiosk that had IT which demonstrated what IBM did at Wimbledon. It was my responsibility to staff it and train them and also to maintain the Kiosk.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was given a lot of responsibility when I was trusted to get on with. I was given some really exciting jobs, such as going to the Advertising Agency for education days, I organised all the advertising which I had to collect information for and work with the advertising agency to put together. I also got to help at some really good events such as the annual CBI dinner where the chancellor of the exchequor did a speach which I enjoyed over a 4 course meal!!! And most exciting of all I worked at the Wimbledon championships where I got to meet some of the players, and even managed to get on centre court for the mens final. It was really enjoyable experience but also a lot of hardwork but defintally worth it.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Its a flexible work place which means you are given a laptop so you can work from anywhere. With my main team one worked part time and the other was based in Portsmouth so I would only see them maybe 3/4 times a month. But they were always on the end of the phone, or sametime which is the equivalent of MSN. As well there was about thirty other placement students in my location which was really nice as we formed a close friendship group and you were never lonely.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

If ever I needed help or guidance they were always more than happy to help, although my manager was very busy so I would have to arrange a meeting in a week or two in advance. but there is a buddy scheme which pairs you up with someone to give you guidance on anything work related.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

It fluctuated depending on demand, I generally was quite busy.But I did have time to get involved in other things as well, such a community volunteer work.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

I was given a lot, I was left to manage advertising to check it was all correct. I also managed ad-hoc campaigns giving assistance and advice to other marketeers and chasing them up to meet deadlines. I feel i was given a great deal of responsibility but this was because my team felt that I was capable. It was definatly not making lots of tea and photocopying!

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 am much more confident with presentations and presenting work with more clarity. Definatly made me more focused and driven to want to make the most of my time.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

IBM offices are hot desks so you can work from any location across the country, this has it's advantages and disadvantages as you never know who your sat next and you meet some interesting people but also that your not always sat with your team. However this is when your working away from your base location. When at your base location people tend to sit with their teams in allocated areas.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

they had intiaition meetings and set up regular events with all the placement students and education days to help us adjust and grow. Additionally they sent us away for training days which they thought would be useful, such a marketing 2 day course and presentation skills one.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

They spent alot to integrate us into the company and there was quite a big budget to go on courses if I wanted to, they never said no.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

• Flexi Time
• Company Parties/Events
• Working from home

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

A lot of opportunities for grad schemes, and once your in the company you can move across roles to try different things.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

really good IBM hire about 300 placmeent students across the country and just in london offices there was about 80. So it's like being at uni but with money!! We organised nights out like an xmas party, leaving party and a ski trip. It was also really nice to make close friends as I moved from manchester and didn't really know many people in London. IBM put me in contact with other placement students before I started so I arrnaged to live with three girls and I would say I havedefinatly made some friends for life.

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

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

London is always going to be expensive, as rent and living is high, but I had enough to still have a good time without budgeting too much.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

London there's so many places to choose!

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

★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 1/10

IBm didn't really organise anything outside of work. There was volunteer activities which you give up your time usually in the day. Such as going to local schools and building robots, I built a garden with disabled children and dressed as an elf for a santa's grotto, mentored. But other than this there isn't very much. In a few other locations they have sports teams but this is only few.

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?

Its a very flexible company and depending on your manager and workload you can get involved in as many other activities as you want. For example it's a good oopportunity to shadow people and get experience of other areas of business you might like to get involved in and well as a good way network.

Review 173/173 for IBM

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