GTS Business Operations Review

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement year at IBM. I feel I have been lucky to experience two roles within IBM, which has given me a good overall view of how a business is run. The placement has given me exposure and the opportunity to work with senior employees in IBM, which has been really beneficial to see the business from this perspective. Throughout my time at IBM, I was given lots of responsibility and real ownership of tasks. Particular highlights for me have been the opportunity to work on a project which allowed me to explore marketing - which is an area that I am highly interested in.

I have felt really valued by other colleagues - you are not treated as if you are 'just an intern'. You are treated the same as any other regular employee and are given equal treatment and opportunities.

Throughout my placement, I have been given high levels of support and guidance by management. For example, when my task manager rotated roles, I was given the opportunity to act as interim operations leader for a month or so. This was challenging, having all the extra responsibilities to cope with on top of my day job. However, I was given continuous support by the rest of the senior leadership team whenever I was unsure, and I always felt comfortable to reach out for help.

When relating to just the 'standard' job role, I would say I was busy for 3 out of 5 days a week. However, this free time gives you the chance to get involved with numerous other projects in IBM. For instance, I was given the opportunity to lead a whole programme, which took up a lot of my spare time, and I was involved in a relocation project where I was able to see it through from start to finish, which again takes up your spare hours in the day.

I was given lots of responsibility during my placement. For instance, as previously mentioned, I acted as interim operations leader for over a month, of which I had high levels of responsibility for the input of reviews for senior employees of IBM. Overall, you are given as much responsibility as you are willing to take. If you show the desire to want the extra responsibility, then opportunities to do so will be made available to you.

I have learnt a wide variety of skills that are extremely useful for my final year but also my future career. These skills are only learnt in a practical environment.

The atmosphere in the office was very friendly - Some days the office would be busy and buzzing with people, but other days there would be few people in. This was sometimes daunting when I first started, as I was not located with my task manager, so would be going into an empty office on a Friday!

The placement was really well organized - you are given a standard 'task manager' specific to your role as well as an Early Professionals Manager - who looks after you during your placement year. This provides you with a lot of support.

I was given the chance to go to a 'Sales School', which I signed up for but never heard anything back.

Extremely appealing - II like the face there is flexibility to move around the business and change roles to ones that may suit you.

Where I was based, there was a few interns, so there was a good social scene. Probably not as good as what you'd get in South Bank though

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There was a few activities, such as the 'Snow Ball', which is a IBM Christmas Party, but not many other than that.