IGF Systems/Business Transformation IT Review

by IBM

Best Student Employer

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

3.6/5
  • The Role
    3.6
  • The Company
    3.3
  • The Culture
    3.9

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
  • Enjoyable job with a lot of new challenges. There was no 'official' training for the job, just the standard student introduction to IBM. However learning took place and along with it came increased responsibility

    4/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
  • Within my team we worked closely providing support for the rest of the department, some 200 people and were on first name terms with most of them. As the first Industrial Trainee the team had doubts over my abilities but were happy to be proved wrong!

    5/5

  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
  • My manager gave support and guidance, but was mainly focused on a major project going on, however within our small team we were pretty self-sufficient

    4/5

  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
  • Business depended on how much was going wrong! Some days could be very quiet, on others I'd have up to 20 machines on or around my desk needing attention

    4/5

  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
  • As time progressed responsibility increased, I became responsible for managing our department's relations with other IBM areas, and for the deployment/ordering of new equipment for IGF

    4/5

  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • It's probably fair to say that the final year of uni dragged a bit, especially working hard and not being paid! Pulling in knowledge from the placement didn't necessary help with the final year... but I always wished I was back at IBM anyway!

    2/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
  • The atmosphere was friendly, positive and a good laugh - you didn't dread going to work in the morning! Unfortunately, some people don't take you seriously for being the student about the place, but when they realise you know what you're doing the attitude changes!

    4/5

  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
  • The placement scheme on the surface seemed well organised, but often deadlines weren't met - such as telling you if you had the job or not within 10 days... it took 2 months. The Student introduction took place after I'd already been working at IBM for a month by which time most of it had been learned

    4/5

  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • With the exception of internal on-the-job training and the student welcome course, there was no significant investment

    1/5

  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
  • Flexi Time

    Sports and Social Club

    Subsidised/Company Gym

    Company Parties/Events

    Working from home

    4/5

  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
  • Although I applied (and failed to get on) the IBM Grad Scheme, I was contacted by my former Manager and invited to apply for a job that was coming up. However, for our year, despite maybe 4 or 5 business areas being offered on the Grad scheme, they only seemed interested in recruiting into 1 - and it seemed if you applied for another area, you had no chance

    5/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
  • Definately - after much bonding on the student training course there were often events/nights out and much banter in the office

    5/5

  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
  • Portsmouth ranges from dirt-cheap to expensive, depending on where you set up home. Going out and about also varied in cost, but hell, it's cheaper than London

    4/5

  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
  • Portsmouth's pretty vibrant whether you want a night in a few pubs or the clubs on Southsea Seafront, Gunwharf Quays or the town centre

    4/5

  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
  • IBM run their own social club, but the students tended to run their own nights out or trips every week

    4/5

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Details

Information Technology

Scotland

May 2008


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