Real Estate Strategy and Operations Assistant Review

Got to travel around the UK and learn a lot about a field I previously knew very little about. Quite a lot of spreadsheet work and analysis, but got to see it through and see the results at the end. Worked with a variety of people and even though I was working in an office environment, no day felt the same.

A lot of people work from home, so sometimes not the easiest to talk or know everyone that you work with.

Whenever I needed support, it was always there.

I always had something to do, never a clear inbox of emails, but a healthy balance.

Got the opportunity to save IBM over £120,000. Got to present new ideas to managers higher up myself and work on my own ideas if they were approved. I got to travel across the UK to different sites, independently, and meet with clients and suppliers to discuss ideas and solutions to problems.

I have learnt a lot this year, main skill enhanced would be time management and organisation. In the world of business, it was vital that I was able to prioritise my workload and also be able to manage expectations of others. Even though I was not in a management role, I learnt a lot about what makes a good manager and the kind of manager I would like to be in the future.

The atmosphere was usually quite quiet, as a lot of people worked from home. I was also the only intern in my office, so for me a lot of the people were a bit older so I did not have as much to talk about. I didn't mind this though as quite a few people, including myself, just stuck headphones in and good get stuck into work whilst listening to music.

I was given loads of responsibility and always had something to do. I had a great handover from my previous intern and a nice amount of time with them so I could fully grasp my role before they left. There was always support there if I needed it as well from either my line manager of early professional manager.

When I first started I did not know a lot about energy or engineering. So I was paid to attend an engineering 101 course and also went to the EMEX event in London at the ExCel centre for energy managers. Both broadened my knowledge of both fields a lot, it was a shame that I did not get to take part in more of these though throughout the year.

I would really like to come back after university. I have thoroughly enjoyed my role this year. The only downside is that I would not be able to do the same role as I am doing now. Saying that, IBM has a lot of opportunities to move around once you are inside. The chances are a lot higher now that I am applying back as an intern, so hopefully it will work out.

Every lunch time interns would meet up at the same time. So even though I was in an office with no other interns, I still got to socialise a lot with other people. Outside work there was a great social scene, especially in summer when we were all within walking distance of the beach.

Fairly cheap. I was living in Newcastle before and that was slightly cheaper rent, but for down south this was still very cheap. Few bars and clubs that are quite expensive, but when you know where to go you can either have a cheap night out, or go somewhere nice and a bit more expensive.

Over summer there was not as many people out, but in September when students came back the clubs are bars were always pretty packed. There was Gunwharf if you fancied a classier a night out and more expensive or you could have a cheaper night out down Albert Road at a few bars.

Yes, IBM really pushed the volunteering work and encouraged to get involved with as many things as we could. This included assessment centres, career days, or even going to local secondary schools to give mock interviews to year 11 students. We were also offered the opportunity to shadow other interns or other teams if we had an interest in another area other than our role.