Business Operations Support Review

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement year at IBM. My role at IBM was Business Operations Support. Key tasks in this role involve tracking key metrics, collating, analysing and representing information to ensure the efficient running of the client unit P&L. I was incredibly fortunate to see this role evolve as the business has made significant organisational changes. Additional responsibilities were subsequently added to my role which involved commercial management tasks on the Lloyds Banking Group contract. The placement has given me the opportunity to work with senior employees in IBM as well as overseas teams providing fantastic exposure to a diverse group of experienced professionals. Throughout my time at IBM, I was given lots of responsibility and ownership of tasks.

I have felt really valued by colleagues and the team I worked within. I was not treated as 'just an intern' you are seen as a valuable and respected team member. I was always able to give my opinions and attend several team strategy meetings ect. You are treated the same as any other employee and given advice and guidance as well as endless development opportunities.

Throughout my entire 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 assist and faciliate the handover and take on more responsibility and own more tasks. Everyone wants to give you as much opportunity as possible to develop skills and ensure you learn as much as possible throughout your year however are always there to reach out to. My EPM was very supportive in helping me to develop skills and arrange giveback throughout the year as well as advising on the graduate application process.

IBM is a great place to work as it gives you the opportunity to search for more work and gain more responsibility. When first starting my placement I felt so busy and was continuously learning processes and getting to understand my tasks. As my placement progressed I got a good handle on these tasks and then actively looked for more work. Following this I took on a commercial management support role which gave me good exposure as well as more work and experience on an account.

I was given lots of responsibility throughout my placement which involved covering work for senior business leaders and creating presentations and presenting data for senior employees. 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 developed a wide variety of skills that are extremely useful for my final year as well as my career. These skills are only developed through a year in industry and being hands on. The additional responsibility and development I have gained has made me a more rounded individual and I return to university for my final year with a renewed sense of purpose and motivation.

I was based in the Farnborough office which is a much quieter IBM location although I sat with approximately ten other interns which made it a great experience. As my placement progressed the office quietened and so I took the opportunity to travel to Southbank once or twice a week where the office was busy and buzzing which was a great place to work and had a great atmosphere.

The placement scheme within IBM is really well organised. You are allocated a 'task manager' specific to your role as well as an Early Professionals Manager who looks after you during your placement year and provides a lot of support. You are required to attend two reviews which includes feedback from your task manager which you then review with your EPM. The scheme makes you feel very valued and they provide numerous development and skill building opportunities.

Throughout my placement I was given the opportunity to attend the Gradbridge award. This was a three day skill building event tailored to building strong employability skills including teamwork, resillience, problem solving and strategy. This helped me to push myself beyond my comfort zone and overcome problems in a highly pressurised environmenmt to achieve strong results and also helped me throughout the rest of my placement when faced with tough problems to overcome creatively.