PMO Analyst Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my work placement at IBM over a 12 month period. Going into a full-time role at an organisation as large as IBM, it can be quite a scary thought. However, from the very first induction day, the foundation team make you feel comfortable and prepare you well for the year ahead. I was amazed at how many skills and topics that I had learnt throughout my education have come to good use, either completing day-to-day tasks or as a way of attempting to improve something within my team. As well as having a task manager, you are also assigned an EPM which gives you that extra bit of support if ever needed. Alongside my role, there were always extra things to get involved with, such as Giveback where I was able to promote IBM to students at my university. There are also many planned events at various IBM locations around the U.K. to ensure you get the most out of your placement year. I believe this year has been instrumental in developing my skills.

One of my placement objectives before joining IBM was to ensure that I had done as much as possible to be valued by my colleagues. By working efficiently and effectively, I was able to help and provide value to the team. My team was relatively small, and despite being a placement student, I was treated with respect and given challenging tasks.

When I joined IBM, I was assigned an Early Professional Manager (EPM) as well as a task manager (who I saw everyday and was part of my team). I was able to see my task manager everyday, due to working in the same location. This meant I was provided with guidance and support consistently, allowing my confidence to build up over time. I also had regular one-to-one meetings with my EPM, as well as occasionally meeting up with my EPM group (students all assigned the same EPM). This allowed regular networking throughout the year with one another.

I found myself busy all year round. As I became more confident and efficient in my role, I was able to highlight this to my task manager who was able to provide me with more responsibilities. This kept me on my toes and meant I was able to learn more skills. The work was also very challenging which I thoroughly enjoyed! In quieter times, there is always something to be getting on with, whether it is helping out members of your team or deleting emails, there is always something to do!

Throughout the 12 month period I was given important tasks and responsibilities by my task manager straight away. I was lucky enough to have a handover period (where the previous interns placement overlapped with mine) where I was able to learn and gain confidence, before tackling the tasks independently. As I become more efficient in my role, I was able to take on more responsibilities that stretched and challenged my skills. Despite this, my team were always available to help whenever required.

I believe IBM has been a vitally important experience that will contribute massively to my future graduate employability. I knew that by taking on a placement year, it may be the differentiating factor between myself and another candidate when applying to roles in the future. I also knew that it would teach me valuable lessons that I could use in my final year at university, as well as give myself a better understanding of the type of role I would like to take after university. I believe throughout my time at IBM I have grown in confidence and maturity, whilst developing life-long skills that I hope will be attractive to future employers. Vital skills developed include communication, organisational and Excel skills.

I was based in Farnborough, where there is a canteen onsite providing food. My team was superb and there are plenty of hot desks available, as well as assigned areas for certain teams. Although there are not many interns based here, I was able to network with many people around the office. Throughout the year, there are also planned lunches, events around Christmas and team outings. I was also able to venture to IBM South Bank several times.

The overall set up in my opinion was great. We had two induction days, where you are with other placement students beginning their internship. This makes you gain confidence as well as gain some important contacts which are very important for the year ahead. the two induction days allowed you to gain vital information regarding your laptop set up, reviews throughout the year, and how to get the most out of your placement with IBM. Also, the fact you are assigned an EPM means you always have a point of contact to the Foundation team.

IBM invest in placement students by ensuring everyone completes their 40 hours of 'Think 40'. IBM provide employees with online training that can help increase skills and knowledge in any area of the business. This is great as you are able to complete the training in your own time, whilst gaining the skills you desire. Foundation also set up various calls, meetings and events where placement students could join, with the purpose being to benefit our personal development.

Future employment prospects within IBM are very appealing and I will definitely be applying to the IBM graduate scheme. Through networking and attending events, it is important to find as much as you can whilst at IBM whilst you are part of the business. I was able to have a long conversation with the GBS Graduate Programme Manager, which allowed me to gain important information and tips about the scheme. The Foundation team also run a Careers Event where interns are able to listen to talks from directors or managers from the area of the business they are most interested in.

At my base location there were not too many placement students other than myself. Despite this, my base location was close to home, which allowed me to keep in touch with my local friends as I was always in the area. My team did however organise several team lunches and dinners, which is a great opportunity to bond outside the work environment.

Again, I was located close to home. Farnborough is located a 30 minute train journey from London, therefore prices were not of those that you get in London. I was also able to drive to work which meant I didn't have to pay any expensive train fees! Free car parking is provided on site.

Due to living close to home and being the only intern, I continued to socialise with my friends from home outside of work. There are a couple of clubs scattered around the area and neighbouring towns, but this cannot compare to London in the slightest unfortunately.

Giveback is a scheme IBM encourage interns to get involved in. This is where interns can sign up to activities outside of their day-to-day tasks. I signed up to help run and organise assessment centres, as well as become a member of the IBM @ Sussex University scheme. Here, I was able to present to students at Sussex University, encouraging them to apply to IBM. I was also organise and run an event called 'Take Your Daughters To Work Day', where the aim was encouraging women to consider future careers in technology and business.