RFS Manager Review

Enjoyable and lots to learn, but got slightly repetitive during second 6 months.

Very valued, felt like anyone else in the team. Although as the team were spread out across the world, it was sometimes 2-3 months between each time I saw my Task Manager which was a shame.

I was given some guidance by my manager, however most guidance came from the rest of the team/peers. I feel that managers sometimes do not dedicate enough time at the start of an interns placement to welcoming them in and on boarding them themselves but I suppose it is due to workloads.

I was busy - very busy most days which was great. I had a lot of responsibility and was doing the exact same role as the rest of my team, some of whom had worked at the organisation for over 20 years! However it completely depends what role you are put into

I was given a lot of responsibility, although I would have liked more direct contact with the client through face-to-face meetings rather than just over email, however most placement students do not even get chance to do that.

Very job specific. Some soft skills were learnt of course but it is really up to you to use any spare time to learn more about business and technology whilst working..I had no spare time so this was difficult.

Very nice - there are so many interns (in Southbank London) that instantly you feel like there are plenty of people in the same position as you who you can relate to. Most IBMers have the chance to work from home so Friday's were always like a ghost town. Most people are friendly and happy to give you an insight into their roles over a coffee, just up to you to hunt them out.

Organised induction and general 'theme' of each intern having a task manager they report to daily and then an Early Professionals Manager whom undertakes formal reviews each quarter. However apart from the above, you are put into a role and then not really told much else about the other possibilities out there or other areas of the business other than your usually very narrow role.

Not really invested in - there are plenty of online portals to learn about pretty much any topic you want, however to gain actual accreditation or go on paid courses you have to usually be in a graduate position, where I do hear that they are pretty generous with spending per head which is good to hear.

Hard to say - it really depends on what business line you go into, what role you are put into etc. However in general, I think IBM are a great company to work for and there are so many opportunities. One issue at the moment is that there seem to be a lot of cut backs on expenses such as for travel and also the amount of people they are hiring as interns and graduates is decreasing too, which is worrying for future prospective candidates and not very appealing.

There were around 200 interns just in my office so there are lots of people your age to socialise with in or after work. However again, it depends what team you are in. I know some teams that bunch a load of interns together whereas I wasn't directly with any interns. Also, IBM didn't organise any events to bring all the interns together after work - it was down to interns to organise that for ourselves - even the Christmas party!

Very expensive - central London! Yes you can socialise and go out every week, but do't expect to save a penny on the wage they pay you...which is relatively low for London and lower than almost every other intern I knew at other companies.

Very good - great social events on Thursdays and every bar is full Wed-Sat really!

Not really - almost non-existant. I joined a 6 a side football team however that was just a bunch of interns I was mates with - IBM do nothing to provide anything like that anymore which is disappointing as I'm told that 5+ years ago there were lots of sports teams and societies to join.