Marketing and Communications Assistant Review

My year at IBM provided me with countless opportunities in an area of business I never thought I would work in. I have gained priceless knowledge and experiences from my colleagues and from the opportunities I took advantage over the year in addition to my role.

I will really miss my team at IBM when I leave. Over the year I was nearly always treated like a truly valued member of my IBM team, not like an intern. I have made fantastic relationships, made key contacts, and friends for life.

In my first 6-months I did not have a manager, yet despite this my Director, intern manager, and other members of the team were always there to help as and when they could. When my manager returned for my last 6-months she was always available to help.

During my first 6-months I was constantly busy, maybe too busy. However this made the days fly-by and helped me become more effective in my work. When my manager returned my workload dropped but we found ways to occupy my time in the most effective way possible.

I was amazed by just how much responsibility I was initially given. I was part of the Senior Leadership Team for my department, had control of some processes and sites, and access to everything at high-level.

I am convinced that my year at IBM will make a significant difference to my final year at University. I have developed a stronger attitude to working, have become increasingly efficient, effective and more concise in my working. Additionally, I have since decided on a dissertation topic focused on IBM and the team I have been working with.

My team were fantastic and always buzzy (other than end-of-year where they are all under significant pressure). There was always someone to talk to, get advice from, and to support my learning.

Other than when I could not contact my intern manager, everything was very well organised. Always someone there to support me when I needed it and always someone in the team to remind me of when something as coming up in my intern diary.

Training and education was always made available as it is compulsory for all IBMers to do at least 40 hours of education a year. However, this should have been enforced more. Although, my role required me to host education for my team so I was always learning about aspects of the business.

Without a doubt I will be applying for the IBM graduate scheme - I cannot wait to come back! (hopefully)

This was highly dependent on your base location. South Bank is very social and a lot of fun. If you are based somewhere else you really need to encourage your social scene.

I live in the area so was used to the costs, but I know that some students were surprised by it being more than they expected.

If you are willing to travel to Southampton or Bournemouth the nightlife is great. However, there are a few pubs around but nothing like London.

I took advantage of lots of opportunities outside of my role, but not outside of work. However, for the more technical there were a lot of opportunities for technical social clubs.