IBM Extreme Blue Technical Intern Review

I really enjoyed the project we were given to work on, and also living and working with all the other interns. Although it was a really challenging internship and I had to work really hard, it was for a project which I enjoyed and believed in which made it worthwhile!

Extreme Blue seemed to be held in quite high esteem within the Hursley site- everyone had an interest, from recent grads to the vice president. The turnout for events for people to find out more about our project, or the responses to our pleas for help, were always plentiful, which made us feel very valued.

Our manager was firm but incredibly fair, and had an amazing knack of always understanding and pre-empting our problems before we did. Fortnightly 1-1s were a huge method of support, but our managers door was always open and just across the corridor, so we always felt supported. Each team also has a set of mentors, of which our gave up a huge amount of their time to help and support us.

Pretty busy- it did go in peaks and troughs, when there were deadlines/client meetings/presentation- this didn't feel like a 9-5 most days! But it is a case of if you put the work in, you do get rewarded.

Although we had a manager and a set of mentors, the project ultimately belonged to us, the team of students. I really liked this- we had the opportunity to go where we wanted with the project, and to develop our own skills.

The skills I have gained are the most valuable thing from the whole summer. Most important were the presentation skills- we had to do weekly presentations in front of audiences, culminating in 2 big presentations in Brussels to the other Extreme Blue teams and clients. My presentation skills and confidence have improved tremendously, and I can safely say that no other presentation will ever worry me again! The opportunity to experience what it is like to work for a huge corporate company is also valuable, as was all the general experience in being part of a team, working with clients and delivering a project.

I really enjoyed working with the other 15 students in one office. At times it was a little loud, but the atmosphere was mostly one of hard work! It was useful to have the other students nearby to share expertise and solve problems.

Very well organised!

We had many talks and seminars on skills from presentations to media training.

Hopefully returning in a couple of years- the internship was treated as a 12 week 'interview'.

Although Winchester isn't party central, living and working together meant that we all bonded very quickly and became good friends.

IBM paid for us to stay in Uni of Winchester Halls. Winchester isn't a cheap place, but it is lovely, and we had a good few meals out/pub trips for a reasonable price.

Not much in Winchester, could have travelled to Southampton very easily but we didn't end up going. There are some lovely pubs in Winchester that we contented ourselves with.

We could join the gym and use the sports facilities.