Public Sector UKI Intern

What made you decide to come to IBM as a University Placement Student?

I’ve heard positive stories from friends who have previously done a placement at IBM – hearing about their experiences of being in roles that give real value to the company and the clients is the biggest factor which made me want to apply.

Also hearing about the friendly company culture of a tech giant like IBM was attractive to me too.

What hints or tips would you give to those who are interested into applying to IBM as a University Placement Student?

Apply early, make sure you do your research on the company’s history & core values and most importantly, make sure you be yourself in every stage of the application process – IBM really values authenticity.

What has your career journey at IBM looked like so far? (e.g., previous roles, training)

I’m just over 3 months into my year placement at IBM. When I started, I spent 6 weeks shadowing my task manager, who is the Public Sector leader for UK and Ireland; this was a great opportunity to learn about the sector and IBM from a bird’s-eye view. During this period I had a lot of freedom to build the foundations for the rest of my year (participating in foundation communities, completing courses on YourLearning and getting involved in giveback).

Since I finished the shadowing period of my placement, I have worked on 2 major bids within the public sector. I have been engaged within 2 bid teams and have had a lot of input/added value for the bids to be submitted.

What hints and tips would you pass on to a student about to start the IBM Recruitment Process (online application form/CV, online numerical test, assessment centre, matching interview)?

Online application form / CV: make sure to demonstrate detail of examples where you’ve demonstrated IBM’s core values (client focus and innovation… e.g.)

Online numerical test: don’t rush yourself – quality is valued much more than pace, but try and make sure you’re in a quiet environment / have eaten & hydrated yourself! Also try not to panic – being relaxed will help you think straight when answering questions.

What’s the best thing about your current role?

Knowing that I’m adding value for a large bid that will be submitted to a large public sector client – knowing I’ve dealt with a large workload and a high level of responsibility which I’ve never experienced before!

What’s the best thing about being at IBM?

Without a doubt, the best thing about IBM is the people. Everyone is extremely friendly and willing to help. The friendly culture will help you to express yourself within the workplace and enjoy yourself at full potential.