Resource Management Specialist & Business Controls Analyst Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at IBM and have learnt many things - from clear reporting, to precise tracking to trying something outside my comfort zone (leading the intern blog team for my location)! I have learnt more about business, having come from a non-business background and have been kept busy with my work and responsibilities. I liked how whenever I needed help and advice, whoever I approached in IBM, whether I knew them or not, was willing to give up their time to help and provide advice, be it work related or shadowing.

I definitely felt like part of the team and was never made to feel like I was 'just an intern'. Every piece of work I did, with colleagues in the UK and abroad, was of value to the team, in terms of the team's focus and objectives. I feel I was valued as I became the point of contact for certain reports/processes.

When I started, a lot of the regular tasks were taught to me from the previous intern. After that my manager was always willing to explain things to me, even throughout the year as I picked up more work, colleagues would be willing to explain something if I needed further clarification. I also had regular progress updates with my manager.

I was definitely busy on a daily basis - if I had finished all my work, any unfinished work, or work which had been in the background for a few days would then be worked on, so there was always work to do! There was rarely a day where I didn't have much work to do.

I was given responsibility from day 1 - creating reports and packs to be reviewed by team management, some used as evidence in an audit. I had the responsibility of recording and tracking each detail for various programs for our team. I also had the opportunity to work on personal projects throughout the year.

I have learnt/built on many transferrable skills which will be useful in my degree and beyond - organisation, prioritising and multitasking, skills which I thought I had but IBM took it to a new level. In addition the business skills and knowledge, may not be relevant to my degree, but will definitely relevant to wherever I work in the future.

The atmosphere was very relaxed and everyone was very friendly. Although everyone did not work in the same team, everyone got on very well. The office often fairly quiet, and not too noisy, so was great for concentrating on work. It would get lively at lunch and tea breaks when all the interns came together.

I feel that the placement was very well organised. Having 2 managers was beneficial - our Task Manager managed our day-to-day work and Early Professionals Manager looked after personal training and reviews. There are many online courses for personal and professional development (incl. finding out more about other areas of the business). We also had 3-month, 6-month and 12-month reviews and a placement journal to fill in - all useful.

There was a 2 day induction at the start of the placement as well as role-related development and learning as and when required. In terms of personal training, many education modules were made available to us to take at the start of the year. Apart from that, there were online courses which we could do at any time which was best for us.

There is such a variety of roles to apply for and the graduate scheme involves rotations, so for each period of time you could be working in different 'focussed' areas within your chosen 'broad' area. Also, the pay being above average for a graduate scheme also helps, as well as IBMs own reputation as a company.

There were around 30 interns as well as apprentices and gap year student at Warwick so during the day we would socialise over lunch and tea break. They would often arrange evening socials too. Not a lot of my work colleagues worked at the same location, however, the other people in my office would have social events, and the interns in the office would also be invited.

I lived at home for the duration of my placement year. As I had a long commute, I didn't really stay back after work for socialising.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go on any nights out. But Warwick being a student city, I'd expect there to be good nightlife - The other interns always seemed to enjoy nights out.

Within IBM there are many opportunities to give back to the community (both IBM community and externally), in a program known as Giveback. This could range from assisting in location run events, to representing IBM at careers events.