Business Operations Review

My placement with IBM has been the most valuable year of my life. Starting out in an internal role, I was responsible for collating data for weekly reviews which would be used for to make managerial decisions. As well as my internal role, I was able to work directly with our clients to get a feel for consulting ahead of a potential grad role.

Throughout my whole placement, I felt valued by my colleagues. I was fortunate enough to be placed into a great team at IBM and we would meet together daily to discuss the work we were doing and whether we needed any help in any of the tasks we were performing.

When you begin your IBM placement, you are met by a group of brilliant career managers who take you on an insightful induction which gives a lovely welcome to the company. Once you begin your role, support was immediately available to settle into my role and then throughout if I was experiencing problems at work or at home.

My IBM role gave me a great balance of being busy throughout my year. As my first year of professional full time work, I did not expect to be as busy as I was but as you venture further through your placement and your standing in the company improves, you are given plenty to keep you busy by various business leaders.

Within my role, I was given a lot of responsibility. Initially in my day to day role, I was reporting to senior stakeholders who are in charge of running the business on a daily basis. I was also entrusted to work side by side with our clients which felt great.

Whilst I am yet to return to university, I can already see how valuable the experience has been. I have been able to grow and develop my transferable skills whilst also gaining industry expertise by working with our clients and also seeing how the internal business of a multinational company works.

Within my business unit, the atmosphere of the office was great. As well as the great intern community that IBM offers, all employees within the company are approachable and ready to help you with anything. I was also based in London for my placement which was a great location to network better with fellow employees.

The company gives constant opportunities for training and development. Throughout your year, you are able to log onto a learning page and achieve credible education pages recognised not only by IBM but the whole industry. You are also given a manager who invests in you and always checks to make sure that you are working well throughout your year,

Future employment prospects are motivating and are clearly mapped out from the moment you step into the company. No false promises are made which is great. It is simple with IBM, if you perform well during your year and the trust you are given is repaid, you have every chance of a future job with them.

IBM offers a brilliant and wide intern community across many offices in the country. The company itself is constantly setting up great events giving you the chance to socialise and network with fellow placement students. The fellow students at the company are great and are always up for socialisng.

I was based in London for the entirety of my year which is great for nightlife. The office itself is based a long the Southbank, which is one of the most vibrant and diverse locations in London which is perfect if you fancy and after work pint with a colleague.