UKICC Quality Analyst Review

My time during my this placement year has been a rewarding and enjoyable one. I have had the opportunity to learn from and meet many different working professionals, from many different areas of a leading IT business. I formed good relationships with co-workers, which was made easier due to the friendly and social traits of the other IBM employees and placement students. This made the year that step more enjoyable. Especially when moving to a new location, with no connections or support structure.

I feel that my skills and ability has been used during this passed year and that my colleagues have valued my contribution. This is strengthen by the positive feedback and thanks I have received during this year. Not only through review stages but general comments throughout. However I do feel my skill and ability level was not used to its maximum potential. I feel I would have been able to contribute further if I had the opportunity. However I believe this to be more role/sector specific rather than general company demeanor. I will also add that I have been given the utmost respect from my colleagues and no one has ever let the title of university placement student effect how they have treated me especially in terms of hierarchy. I was seen as a IBM employee in the eyes of everyone I have met.

Support and guidance has always been present throughout the year. I am often inquisitive, resulting in many questions. Support and guidance was generally provided in a swift and professional manner. The only times this was not the general consensus would be during periods when upper management was extremely busy. This resulted in a delayed reply. However support and guidance was again provide at a more acceptable time. We were also consistently reminded that there are no silly questions and that all questions would be taken seriously. I for one know I have absentmindedly asked questions one might consider silly. However I never felt reprimand for doing so.

My workload was often varied and unpredictable. There would be weeks were I would be extremely busy, moving from one task to another. Which I found to be quite rewarding and enjoyable. The fast pace resulted in me learning a lot more a lot faster. However there were also weeks which were slow paced and lacked challenge. However this movement between one extreme to another was often balanced and the slow periods often provide respite. Allowing me to work other other tasks outside my roles workload. The first month or so was quite slow paced. However I had yet to prove my ability to my managers and co-workers. During this time we also still had the previous university placement students working within the team. Resulting in the workload being spread quite thin. We were also warned during induction that the first month or so would be generally slow paced for many different sectors.

In my personal opinion I feel that I was given a respectable amount of responsibility for a university placement student. Due to events during this year I was given the responsibility to oversee and manage the UKICC Change Advisory Board (T/MCAB). Workload which was previously managed and overseen by a internal full-time IBM employee, with over 3 years experience in change management. This responsibility allowed me to prove my ability, which resulted in further responsibility. All of which I have found greatly rewarding and have enhanced my skill set.

Due to this placement year I have enhanced many different skills, which will be invaluable in my degree and later career. I now have a better understanding on the IT industry and its different sectors. Specially service operations. Also general office demeanor, structure and rules. All of which I had only previously learnt from a theoretical point of view. In addition to this I also have greatly increased my confidence and ability to communicate with others. This I feel is a one of the most notable changes in my development. As it will not only benefit me in my career but also in my personal life. I will so note that I have further developed my technical skills in the use of; internal expert systems, excel, information systems, as well as others.

The general atmosphere I would consider relaxed and laid back. You would often receive greetings and smiles from other employees in the office. Managers often were not strict over office hours or coffee breaks.. The reason for this I believe is IBM stance on work ethic and trust. As long as the your work was finished, acceptable quality and you had displayed your reliability in completing your workload. You were often given trust and freedom in return. Often resulting in the employee being able to start at 8 and finish at 4 or leave/come into work half an hour or so later or earlier. Also the ability to work from home is a general perk provided, once trust has been established, However this will be determined at your sector and managers discretion.

During the start of my placement I did encounter a few issues when it came to organization, Initially I was interviewed for and excepted the job of IT coordinator. However when I arrived at IBM for induction, I was told I hadn't been "placed" yet. The role I also ended up in was UKICC quality analyst. In addition to this i was not added to the placement housing groups, resulting in me not being able to find residence with other IBM employees. This lack of communication also extended to some preparation e-mails, i didn't received. Luckily initiative didn't allow this to effect my induction into the company. Also It was required of me to gain clearance for my role. This took months, there was constant problems and unlike others I started the clearance progress after induction and not before. I brought all this issues and feedback to the attention of my EMP, so stated they would keep an eye to ensure these problems didn't effect next years placement students .

IBM provided many personal training and development throughout the year. There was many events for university placement students to attend and enhance their skill set. In addition to this there was also any sources for information and personal training via the Think40 hub. Which is a tally of external hours spend on self education. Every IBM employee is tasked with completing 40 hours over the course of a year. Some of the events that took place and training I attended were: Pick'n'Mix - Selection of seminars to improve skills. TCG FTC Interconnect 2015, Hursley - Technical convention Watson Ambassador Interview the IBM way Mentoring Workshop These are just a very small selection of what is available to placement students.

I would say the future employment prospects of IBM are very appealing. I will be apply for the IBM University Placement to Graduate Scheme Process. Which I hope to make progress in. IBM offers a large variety of job roles, in many different sectors of the industry, for example technical consulting, which is the sector I am apply for. There are many sectors that extend beyond technology, such as business, and design. All of which have a vast selection of roles within. IBM also have a great reputation for internal transfers. Which allows the employee to try new roles and really find that job that is suited to them, which they are passionate for.

The social scene amongst the placement students was decent. North Harbour hosts a lot of university placement students. Which meant their was lots of social events being planned. Over the year many students planned events such as pub crawls, dinner and outings. Often large parties would go clubbing on a Friday or Saturday.

The cost of living was relatively low compared to what I usually experienced at university. Overall i would say there was an average cost of living. With the exception of Tiger Tiger, which can cost you an arm and a let for entry and a single mixer.

There are a few clubs or different varieties in Portsmouth. So it is likely you will find one which suits you and that you enjoy. I personally liked Tiger Tiger, even if it was on the more expensive side. I enjoyed the environment more than the others, along with the style and selection of rooms. I will note however there is not much of a LGBT scene in Portsmouth. So if this is something that appeals to you. Then it is likely North Harbour is not the location for you.

IBM offer many opportunities to get involved with and work with outside sources. There is constantly the chance to work with a university, collage or school. Often helping other students grasp a better understand and an inside look into a leading IT company, as well as any tips or training we can provide to help them pursue a placement such as ours, if that is what they desire. In addition to schools there are also many opportunities to work with communities and charities over the year. IBM also supports placement students organizing and running their own activities to support others. My location (North Harbor) didn't provide any sports related activities outside of work. However I do know this is present in locations such as Hursley and Southbank.