Project Management Officer Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement at IBM. It offered exciting challenges that allowed me to develop personally and professionally. All throughout the year I was enjoying my roles, the people I interacted with and the large amounts of opportunities to get involved in. From starting new projects to even giving back to others through giveback schemes.

The placement role offered me exposure to a large network full of diverse skillsets. By working with my collegues it was clear that they trusted me to deliver quality work and take problems and resolutions into my own hands. This made me feel like even as an intern my role was important, and alowed me to understand how my role created value.

The support from managers is very sufficient. As an IBM intern you receive a Task Manager who will be setting you your daily tasks/roles and will often strive to give you challenging work to push your boundaries. Albeit they will support you and always offer their help and support when needed. You also have an EPM (Early professional manager) who looks after your welfare, by checking up on you regularly and being there for any support outside of your role.

I personally was very busy on a daily basis. I had 2 main roles that pretty much required my attention all day. I felt this was much more challenging and also entertaining as it really helped develop my learning at much faster rates by being constantly exposed to new challenges and tasks. A key point to note is that you will be as busy as you make yourself, if you would like more work you just need to ask and i'm sure your task manager van find you some. This is also a great way to build your network and make a great impression.

Working in an external role on a client site, I was given a lot of responsibility on my placement. My role was important as it had a direct impact on the client as I worked in the testing phase of the program as a defect manager. My task manager and my fellow colleagues relied on me for accurate updates, to achieve the tasks set to me and to support and cover them when needed.

The skills I have developed have significantly assisted my future degree studies and further graduate work after university as I have learnt key skills that I will apply going forward as a result of this placement. I have learnt the importance of communication, organisation, determination and initiative. These are valuable skills I have developed and will continue to apply to my time at Uni to ensure I receive the best results I can.

Being in a client site the office was more orientated to the clients way of working, however I did not mind this. It was a very open office with mulitple companies including the client sharing the space. This lead to a highly interactive office and an open environment where you could approach anyone and ask them for some of their time to help you understand an issue or help resolve a key problem.

The placement was organised ectrenely well. The steps/proces of applicaiton to offer were clearly defined and made clear to applicants from the start. There was also a lot of support throughout the whole process. This is also the same for the leaving process and the intern to grad applications! Overall there is great support and always someone willing to help answer any queries or intern concerns.

IBM have a tool called 'YourLearning', this tool offers IBM employees the chance to engage in training course on limitless amounts of topics. If you are a keen learner there will definitely be something you can get stuck into to propel your personal training. If you also adamant on a career at IBM, there is a large range of IBM way training that can put you in a good sted for career at IBM. The experience you face through your tasks and interaction with skilled colleagues also adds to the invaluable developement and learning you will get from this placement.

The future employment prospects are very appealing, IBM offer an intern to grad application where if you have been an intern for IBM you get a fast track in the application process for the graduate scheme after you graduate University. IBM offers graduate schemes mainly as a consultant or a sales specialist but there is many different roles within these categories that you could experience.

Being on a client site, away from the base IBM ooffices I did not have much exposure to other interns. I worked alonside 2 other interns. However as mentioned previously as the graduates roles are mostly consulting roles, there were a lot of graduates on the project that I would spend time with by going to the pub after work. We also played football on wednesdays after work with other colleagues from the client and other busienss which was always great fun. On top of this, IBM host a first wednesday drinks, every first wednesday of the month there is free drinks at a certain location near the IBM main offices, not one to miss!

Having worked in a external client site I did not live locally so I drove to and from work each day. However as I was working on a client site and not travelling to my main IBM base location I was getting expensed for my travel which significanty supported my journeys.

Living from home and working on the client site I did not experience much nightlife in my work location.

There is plenty of opportunities to get involved in activities outside of your main role, it is just a matter of seeking these opportunities. IBM is constantly holding events and love to get the ealy professionals involved to support. Also if you think of a great event that could take place you can pitch it and you will be supported in making it happen. No to mention, every year IBM interns get the opportunity to help out at Wimledon for a week in a large range of various roles.