Watson Marketing Channel Team Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement year at IBM. The year offers endless opportunities both within your team but also through the placement scheme. I feel I have benefited hugely from doing this year from the insights I have gained from working in a huge corporation.

I felt extremely valued by my colleagues in a really friendly and supportive environment. Everyone is very welcoming and wants to offer support when you need it.

I felt an extremely valued member of my team and my task manager acted as a great mentored providing me with constant feedback in order to be the best I can possibly be. I was given daily support by management and supervisors in an extremely open environment where you can raise any concerns or issues you have without feeling afraid.

I was often busy on a day to day basis. My days were often consumed with all of the teams reporting and supporting the team with issues. When I was involved with organizing product workshops or working on targets for the team my days would get really busy- but I love being busy as it gives you more challenges and the opportunity to encounter new things. I never felt like I was too busy that I had to be in super early and leave super late. I had a great balance.

I was given quite a lot of responsibility throughout my placement year, I was responsible for all our teams financial tracking and organizing multiple workshops for our partners so that they can go on to resell our product. The great thing is that if you feel like you do not have enough responsibility there is an great culture to say I would like to get involved with more.

This year has allowed me to walk away with so many skills that I would not have obtained if I did not do a placement year. From strengthening leadership, communications and confidence this is all something that I can take back to university and beyond.

I was in a sales role so there was always an exciting and friendly atmosphere. It depends on the role- if you get based on a client site out of London it might not have the same atmosphere. I was fortunate enough to be part of a large team however some interns don't have a team based at their location so they can get a bit lonely and quiet working at the office without a team. Often managers will give you the option to work from home on a Friday which is always a nice change from the office.

I felt the work placement was really well set up. Each intern is designated an Early professional manager who are there to support you aside to your task manager throughout the year. Every three months you are required to complete a 3 month, 6 month and final review. This includes presenting and documenting your progress over the three months. It allows you to discuss with your Early professional manager your achievements but also what areas you want to improve and opportunities you want to make the most of in the upcoming three months. These reviews are extremely helpful in assessing your performance and guiding you to be successful in your year at IBM.

I was fortunate enough to be part of a team where my manager really invested in me. As well as there being huge online resources to online courses and certifications you can receive, my manager constantly invested in me through opportunities. I had the chance to take part in a IBM Sales school style presentation which interns usually do not have the opportunity to do.

Doing a placement year at IBM does not guarantee a role on the grad scheme. You have to reapply at the end of your year and go through another assessment center and interview (although some are fast tracked) There are appealing future employment prospects within the organization as you can enroll on a rotational grad scheme or do a 2 year grad scheme in the same role. There is a breadth of roles available for interns to potentially apply for. if you get on the graduate scheme through sales you can attend IBM sales school which is number 2 in the world. the grad scheme also has been recognized for its excellence and won many awards.

Yes, great social scene amongst placement students and colleagues. If you are based in Southbank, london there is so much to do after work. Southbank has over hundred interns so there is always huge groups of interns together and doing activities. Smaller client sites do not offer the same social scene.

The cost was quite high but it is London and you can still recieve student loan on placement year. I still had money to spend after rent and bills. Despite the cost of london it is fantastic living in such a fun and vibrant city and being able to get to work door to door in 30 minutes!

Its london, nightlife is great and endless places to go.

Yes there are lots of opportunities to get involved in outside of work. IBM have social netball clubs etc, but even if its not IBM associated if you live or work in london there are loads of sports clubs, volunteering etc.