Business Operations Review

I’ve really loved my placement. I’ve learnt a huge amount, grown as a person, and found the work interesting, even though a reasonable amount of it is Microsoft Excel based which I’ve not previously found interesting. However, there is a large element of only getting out what you put in. I’ve worked really hard (and been happy to; I have huge respect for my task manager and team and am happy to put in the effort), and as a result, I’ve gained a huge amount. There are so many opportunities within IBM as an intern, such as events put on by the community of interns, and within units, that it’s not hard to take advantage of them.

99% of the people I have interacted with have been more than willing to take the time out of their day to help you. This is something that I feel may be unique to IBM and that few other companies have. I’ve had the chance to sit down with VP’s of units to ask for advice and they’ve been hugely supportive. My team of colleagues has luckily been very kind and helpful throughout my placement. I’ve been consistently treated with respect and as a member of the team. Any work that I’ve done for people has been met with gratitude and the understanding that I’ve worked hard to help them.

My task manager was very supportive, she gave me more work when I asked for it and was always available to answer questions or run me through processes that were new to me. She was hugely supportive in allowing me to work on other projects and gain experience throughout IBM, providing I did my core tasks for her to a high standard. IBM has a system in place that provides each intern with an EPM (early professionals manager) who has more of a pastoral care role. My EPM has been hugely helpful, always easy to contact and providing advice and suggestions when asked. I've not had any issues with my role, however, I’m aware that anyone who’s had struggles in their role has been helped hugely by their EPM’s as well.

Initially, I wasn’t all that busy, but my role did not exist before I arrived so there were no tasks to take over from. My manager added to my workload gradually, as each task became easier and I became more efficient. Similarly, I was able to go outside my unit and find other work projects that interested me. There are opportunities within foundation (the community and support system of interns) that you can take part in. You can be as busy as you want to be, you do have to take the initiative to fill your time how you want to.

This again increased throughout my placement – I was initially given tasks that only went to my task manager and they were checked regularly. Having proved myself competent and reliable I was given tasks that carried more weight. I have put together work for people higher up the business and worked on events that catered to the 300-strong intern community. If you prove yourself trustworthy and go and ask for the work and responsibility people will give it to you.

I’m looking forward to going back to my third year at university to study with the work ethic that I’ve developed throughout my placement. Just understanding what full-time work involves and adapting to following that quantity of work will help hugely in going back to studying. I’m much more organised, more assertive, and have a much greater understanding of the technology business that I didn’t have before. I’m also much better at using excel which is always helpful.

Really fun – very busy at times, though. A large number of people work from home Monday and Friday so those days are quieter. Everyone’s very friendly though and there are always people to chat to. I can only attest to the atmosphere in Southbank though, other offices are a little quieter.

The intern community and the support put in place are unbelievably helpful. As mentioned, I didn’t have any issues with my placement but for those people who did they were really well supported. Depending on which EPM you get this could vary but mine was really good. The fact that IBM invests so much in the intern community is endlessly valuable. You do have to use their support, though – it’s there for a reason and people are very willing to help you out.

There is a lot of learning on the job – which I find easiest, and there are people who will help you as you learn. Similarly, there are opportunities to learn other skills within the intern community and support system if you sign up for them. There was a learning to code course in place, and also a language learning network available.

There aren’t places available to all interns; for my year, there are obviously not 300+ graduate scheme places going to previous interns. This makes things a bit more competitive, but then again there are people who don’t want to come back anyway. It’s been helpful to be within the company and get more of a view of what actual roles may involve, but there’s no guarantee of a job after a placement, even though some of the graduate roles look really interesting.

As there are so many interns at IBM, let alone Southbank, you’d probably have to try quite hard to not get on with at least someone. The induction events are great as you get to know the other interns and you know the group of people starting at the same time as you. I was in a team of interns in my unit which was also really fun – useful to be able to ask each other questions if you think it’s too stupid a question to ask your manager.

I lived at home and commuted into Southbank each day so rent wasn’t an issue for me. The prices of socialising are London prices, so reasonably high. London interns get paid more though so that is taken into account. I’ve always lived in London/Southeast so those are the prices I’m used to.

It’s London. It’s great. Expensive but great. There are loads of bars around Southbank which are really good – you get a ten percent discount at the bar next to IBM Southbank too so that’s always popular. It’s really easy to get to other places in London so you can go anywhere really.

As there’s a good social network within Southbank (I can’t speak for the other locations but I’ve heard equally good things), there are always things to do. Provided by IBM are things like Christmas parties, and the IBM Intern community organised both a Christmas party and an end of year event. I think you can get involved in sports teams (e.g. netball) if you fancied.