UKI Distribution Sector Operations Support Review

Some of the opportunities available to me as a placement student have been really amazing. I've managed to work with a variety of clients and enhance a lot of skills due to the array of software that's available to all employees. This is of course mixed in with many admin tasks and the bigger opportunities usually came every now and then.

The ability to request regular feedback from people you had worked with meant it was easy to see where your time had been appreciated and what you'd done well for the team. Also meant that more work you enjoyed came your way once people saw what you were capable of achieving.

My team always saw value in my ideas even if they weren't used in the long run. I was supported in improving my skills and was allowed to put them into practice wherever they may of helped. The main source of guidance and help was when involved in projects.

The quantity of work I had to do varied a lot. Most of the time my work load was quite relaxed but there were occasionally weeks of longer hours and lots of work when events or project deadlines that I happened to help on were coming around.

My responsibility also varied a lot, however, I never felt that my tasks weren't of importance and people always relied on a task I was set. Project work was where I found the most responsibility in my tasks.

The training platform in IBM is huge and therefore has lots to offer on the online community. There are online courses for language, coding and many others along with the ability to shadow roles you may like using the tools online.

Everyone in my area of the office took the time to get to know me and there is a very social attitude. It's easy to ask people for help and have casual conversations about work you've seen/heard about and would like to get involved with.

My job description was extremely vague and so my job role was a bit of a shock during my first few weeks. The role was not at all as expected but I have managed to get the best out of it and experience things I wouldn't have otherwise. There are periodic reviews run by your managers and the over all scheme is relatively organised.

There is the large online platform that allows all employees to increase learning in what they like to. There are opportunities to shadow and hundreds of applications to get familiar with if you ever have the time to. However, IBM did not invest in me specifically.

There's still so many roles and projects that I haven't seen yet and would love to be a part of. The ability and skills the company has as a whole would be great for me as a graduate.

There are a couple of hundred interns here which do their own events (such as summer boat party and Christmas do) along with their own out of work events.

My job was in London so rent and most social activities were usually expensive but you cam to know the places that were cheaper and best for students on placement.

Being in London there was lots of places to choose from and since the Night Tube was introduced it became even easier to go further into London. Just expensive a lot of the time until you get to know the cheaper places.

IBM have a giveback scheme which allows you to do extra volunteering in schools, events, etc. There were various sport teams and the ability to set them up if you wanted to.