Channel Marketing Specialist Review

Working at IBM has given me exposure to so many different areas of marketing which will definitely be invaluable going forward. On top of this the exposure I have had to senior figures in the business such as our Chief Marketing Officer has been great and allowed me to make a name for myself with some very senior individuals.

Obviously in any organisation you will get individuals who see you as just an 'intern' and will give you very menial tasks but on the whole my colleagues have been very supportive and have opened lots of doors for me. Other IBMers are always friendly and approachable which makes it a nice working environment.

I could not have asked for a better manager. I have been given the freedom to approach my work in a way that I wish whilst also been giving the right amount of guidance on what I could do differently. I have had such a good relationship with my manager that she doesn't even feel like a manager and we often go out for drink food etc.

At points I have had to work long hours and I have a lot of tasks that I have to fit into my working week but once you learn how to manage it properly it becomes slightly less stressful. I feel like the high workload is testament to you doing a worthwhile role, the team wouldn't function without someone performing my role and the actions I take have a real impact on the business.

I have been responsible for looking after all of our Business Partner Communications, Net Promoter Score program, Business Partner Case Studies, Business Partner Webinars and more. So yes in short I have been given a lot of responsibility. Obviously this only increases as you progress through your year and so do your abilities.

It has been great to develop real life skills rather than just academic ones and many of the skills that I have gained and developed will undoubtedly set me up well for future graduate positions and the like. Additionally, there is access to almost unlimited education to further better yourself.

There is a good atmosphere in the office with lots of people on hand to offer advice and support, both professionally and personally. The office space at IBM is quite dull- desks & chairs that's about it, it is no Google however the people you work with make up for it in my opinion.

IBM have a really well established program and employ around 200 interns a year so are well versed in the process. You have 2 managers. Your task manager and an early professional manager (EPM). You have various reviews with your EPM to ensure that you are getting the most out of your placement year.

You have access to huge library of education and can earn badges to share on LinkedIn for your various achievements. This is mainly online and you can do it whenever yuo please. For example I have been certified for the work I have done around NPS and have learnt how to build a chatbot!

A lot of placement students progress to the graduate scheme (more than 50%). I am currently in the process of applying back which is great because I will potentially have an offer before I have returned to university for my final year. Applying whilst you are still here also means that you get to skip parts of the process like the assessment centre.

The social element has been great. With around 150 interns based at Southbank in London I have been on many a night out and interns all tend to go for drinks on a Thursday after work. I also organised a Christmas party, a black tie boat party down the Thames which was a great night!

I have been based in London, I live in Clapham in a house share with 5 other IBM placement students. There is no doubting that it is really expensive but you do get a bit extra for working in London (18k + 1k signing on bonus). Although it is hard to justify a £6 pint!

There are so many clubs in London so endless nightlife really. I have infernos on my doorstep in Clapham for a cheesy night out a short tube journey to fabric which is for sure my favourite club. Again it is really expensive but you just have to suck it up. You're only young once right?!

There are football teams and other sports teams but I did not get involved with these. One thing I took part in was IBMs ignite scheme where under privaliged 18-21 year olds come in to IBM for a month. I was the task manager for one of them and it was a really rewarding program which was something a little different!