Request for Service Manager Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement year with IBM. I feel it has taught me invaluable experience and will a huge help when applying to graduate jobs. My role during my time at IBM was a RFS (Request for Service) Manager working on a account, as a client facing role this has helped my build my confidence a great amount.

I feel that my team have valued me a great amount, you never feel like a student just here for the year but as a proper part of the team and given real responsibilities. I have attended a client meeting and ran conference calls with customers, always with the support from my colleagues.

During my placement year my original task manager left half way through which meant learning to work for somebody new. I can say both managers have provided great support and will help me with anything that I am struggling with. My early professionals manager and the rest of my team are also very helpful if I ever have a question or need some guidance with a task.

How busy I was would vary, it strongly depends on the budget of the customer in a sales role. during the first 6 months of my placement me and the team were very busy. However, a slow start to the year meant not as much work but this was ok because there is other things you can do to fill your time, for example online educations.

I was given a lot of responsibility during my placement year, it built up throughout my time there and at one point I was covering for two colleagues of my team. I never felt out of my depth as there was always support from other colleagues. I have ran many conference calls on the account which included me running an education session to inform other colleagues around the world on how to approach this new process.

Over the course of the year I have become more professional which will help a great amount when applying for graduate roles. Also, my time management and organization skills have improved dramatically, these skills will help me greatly in the future and also in my final year of studies when I am balancing my work load as well as a part time job working for the university at open days and career fairs.

The atmosphere in my the office was generally very good, my team all got on very well and I also worked alongside another intern so it was nice to have someone in the same situation as me to sit with in the office. Two of my colleagues I work very closely with I also have a very good relationship with, which makes the atmosphere in the office pleasant.

The placement was set up very well, I had a long hand over period with the student before me which helped as I could ask her many questions and sit with her on a daily basis which helped me get used to the role. Before starting at the office I was based there was also an induction for two days which allowed us to meet all the different interns with the same start date. My early professionals manager also comes to the office so she can have one to ones with the interns and answer any questions we have.

IBM provides many opportunities, there is many different events to take part in over the course of the year. There were plenty of educations such as an online conference for an hour or so to education. I feel the best way to develop is to go out and speak to people about there different job roles, there is a lot of opportunity to do this at IBM and people are always happy to help.

I will be applying back to the IBM Graduate Scheme and hopefully get a job with them after I finish university.

I feel there was a good social scene in Central London as most of the interns were based here and quite often they would go to the local pub for drinks after work which helps people to get to know each other. Our group of interns would occasionally get together outside of work therefore we all got to know each other quite well.

The cost of living was quite expensive as I was based in Greater London, this was a lot more expensive than what I first anticipated and on top of the rent and bills there was also the daily travel cost to work to think about.

In the area I work the nightlife is not great. However, I lived in a different area and this was located near a few places which were good for a night out just a short bus journey away so I never felt like I was missing out.

Luckily been so close to London, there is always activities to take part in should you choose to.