Apple and IBM Team Review

My placement at IBM has been a great opportunity to experience life in the corporate world and working with the Apple and IBM partnership has been a privilege. I have been lucky enough to take part in various different client projects and have engaged directly with clients. Like anything, it has been a rollercoaster ride but I have most definitely learnt a lot about both the company and myself.

I felt valued by the majority of my colleagues and it was clear that the work I had completed was of value and added to the team.

My manager and EPM were both extremely supportive and provided guidance and assistance throughout.

Busy, busy, busy! It was only when I was coming to the end of my placement that I realised how busy I had been as things began to slow down in preparation for me leaving.

I was given a lot of responsibility, partly because I had proven myself and my manager really trusted me. I was allowed to communicate with clients directly and didn't need to get clearance from my manager before doing so.

The skills I've developed will massively help me going forward, I've had to learn how to work with some difficult people and realise how this impacts the rest of the team and the work being completed. I've also developed time management skills and how to best manage your workload when deadlines need to be met. Working with clients has given me such exposure and allowed me to develop client focus skills that I hope to take with me to the next company I work at.

The atmosphere was very professional but good. You could be sitting next to an executive or partner and not necessarily realise. If you needed help, people would be willing to.

The placement was well organised and your EPM was always there to help and advise you.

In terms of development, you are able to complete badges or attend events which is great but in terms of personal training, there isn't much.

Fairly appealing but it would depend massively on the team and business unit/industry you are working in.

Yes, various WhatsApp group chats were created and if people were making plans, they'd use the group to share it and talk about what was happening.

Living was fine as I lived at home but socialising really adds up! I wasn't so shocked as I've grown up and lived in London all of my life so I expected it to be expensive. It is a difference experience when you are working however.

London nightlife is and always will be great! Plenty of places to go.

Yes, there are the corporate games that you can take part in but also there is 'giveback' where you giveback to the community e.g. going into schools and doing a big interview day, interviewing students and providing feedback.