Operations Analyst Review

My placement year at IBM was an invaluable experience. From learning and expanding my core role to helping to community and learning about the wider market and business I don't think I could have got more out of a placement year.

Very. The team I worked within really recognised the value-add of analysis I created for them. They were happy to give me bigger projects and help in different parts of the business - from sales to marketing and finance on top of operations.

Managers and even executives are all very open and willing to help. I was often referred to different people to speak to in order to learn of different experiences and parts of the business. They are all keen for students to get involved and add value to the business.

Very, because I wanted to be. A role at IBM is what you make of it. You can easily stick to your core tasks which may not be time consuming as a placement student or there is plenty more work if you go looking for it! As mentioned previously, I helped across the department and even took on projects in the wider company.

I worked alongside executives to help with revenue forecasting and reviews of the department so this was often high pressurised but really worthwhile to be seen as a valued member of the team.

My year at IBM has greatly developed my "soft" skills - communication, team work, problem solving, etc. I have also had fantastic insight into the industry and IBM are fantastic at encouraging continual learning (they expect you to complete 40 hours in a year) for personal development. It is really interesting to find a particular part of IBM that interests you and learn as much as possible about it through different routes (online, meetings, conferences etc.)

Despite my department being high-pressured and fast moving everyone worked really well as a team and it was a very upbeat environment. The interns are valued as much as permanent members of staff and working alongside other placement students as well as management makes it diverse and fun!

My role has developed a lot throughout the year but this is due to the nature of the business. I was put into a particular role and assisted on varied projects for that team so it is structured in that it is a proper role reporting to the same people despite there being a lot of ad hoc, problem solving work.

I did not have specific training for this role other than my handover from the previous interns. However I believe this is the best way to leran and pick things up quickly. IBM offer a lot of online learning and personal development programmes which is more worthwhile as a student.

I hope to return to IBM as a graduate as I have developed as an IBMer - learnt about the industry and where I could fit into the organisation and add-value. It is a great environment to work in and a really exciting, developing industry.

Yes - I worked with 5 other placement students in my close team and a lot of graduates making it really easy to socialise. The management were also very inclusive and team meetings which continued after work always good fun!

I commuted into London so saved on rent but socialising can be expensive!

Fantastic location at IBM south bank - central London with lots of nice restaurants and bars.

IBM offer a lot of language classes and sports groups etc.