Graduate Recruitment Co-ordinator Review

I thoroughly enjoyed working for IBM. I was presented with many opportunities to develop both professionally and personally, and was given the opportunity to embark on other activities other than my main job role.

From the offset I was warmly welcomed into my team. I was astounded by the level of trust and integrity that was established so early on. At times I felt like too much was expected of me and some employees forgot the fact that I was a placement student and not a full time employee.

If I ever needed help and support there was always someone to turn to whether this be within my team or someone else within the organisation. There were some team changes during my placement and I was taken on by another member of staff due to my current manager changing role after my 6 month mark. I was fortunate enough to have a mentor who helped and supported me where necessary and she knew first hand what it was like to be a placement student as she had previously been an intern within IBM.

My role required me to work on the academic cycle as I was heavily involved in Graduate Recruitment. This meant that for 3-4 months of my placement I was quite quiet but for the remaining 8-9 I was non stop and constantly working.

As I worked in a small team I was given so much responsibility from the start. As I developed and grew I was also given more and more as time went by, I had to take ownership over what I was doing an ensure I was doing everything to the best of my ability as I worked with both internal and external clients.

I would say I have learnt a lot about myself whilst being on placement. Some of the skills I have developed and leant I can take away and implement in my final year of university, whilst others are solely about myself as a person and future career choices.

I was required to work from various locations due to the role I performed. However I was based at the Hursley offices and when I was there I had a designated office where I would sit with whoever else was in that office on that day. There were times where I would travel to Hursley and no one else would be in so I would work alone in the office. Whereas in other locations you were constantly surrounded by other employees/interns and it was a very close community.

IBM have a well organised placement programme that all Foundation interns embark on when they join. You are required to keep an IBM journal throughout your placement, and with this you have reviews at certain milestones throughout the 12 months. It is your responsibility to keep on top of the journal and ensure it is completed to the nest of your ability and with as much detail as possible. The organisation do send out reminders when reviews are approaching and there are various communities set up to answer any questions/offer help and support for those that need it.

IBM encourage you to learn and develop as an individual throughout various channels, most of which are online or via calls. When you start you get given access to an online channel called Think40 and this is where you have a wide variety of learning channels that allow you to develop your knowledge about IBM and new products and services they are developing/offering. They also provide Lunch and Learns to all employees these are all optional and take place during your lunch break and they are live calls.

As I have enjoyed my time at IBM so far I am looking for opportunities to come back and work as a Graduate, but in a different part of the business. The Graduate scheme they offer is well known and offers many more opportunities to develop and grow as a young professional.

My role was very busy and demanding therefore I didn't really get the opportunity to get involved in many social aspects. At peak times I was required to travel up to 3 times a week therefor I was in various locations, but when I visited the Southbank offices I did try to see as many other interns as possible and do something in London after work.

I chose to live near the Hursley offices for my placement but later on decided to move home. The decision to move back home was because where I was traveling so much I spent very little time at the house I was sharing/renting with others. The cost of living near Hursley is average we rented a 4 bedroom house although there was only 3 of us and it cost us £400 a month excluding bills. Oh I will add that they house was unfurnished and this is very comment in Winchester, Easleigh, Chandlers ford & surrounding areas so be prepared to have to bring your bed or purchase one!

I think during my placement I went out in Southampton once for a friends Birthday. In the summer months it's quiet due to students not being there but it does pick up from September I believe. Shopping in Southampton is good you have almost every high street line and it's massive!

IBM didn't really offer any opportunities to get involved with out side of work but there are plenty of gyms and sports teams in the surrounding area. I looked into playing netball for some locals teams but as I moved home I was unable to go through with this. I know that IBM Hursley are having a new on site gym built so this will be good as the gym was closed for the duration of my placement as they started the refurbishment.