SWG Total Finance Integration Assistant Review

I enjoyed my placement year as it was an eye opening experience. I learned so much about the world of finance and all the different functions of IBM. Also working in software acquisitions, I was able to see the direction IBM were going in, when in search of cutting edge technology. Also I got take part in "Careers Academy" "100 days to go", this allowed me to see and learn about the roles and expectations of a grad at IBM.

I felt valued as I was given many tasks to complete, all of which tested different skill sets. Also I needed to communicate to large number of people to ensure that the acquisition process was coming along as planned, this made me feel like I was making a difference as I was integrating new businesses into IBM.

I was given a lot of support from my task managers and early professional managers. My task managers explained how the role I was carrying out and the tasks I was carrying impacted the business. They also gave me tips and trained on using some software. My early professionals manager also offered a lot of support, as she made me aware of all the opportunities for giveback, events and education that were available whilst being at IBM. The most guidance I was given in terms of my role probably came during my training period with the intern that I was replacing. I believe that was what made me learn the most my role from a technical standpoint.

My level of busyness varied throughout the year. In my first quarter I think I was busy because it took me time to adapt to the role. I was even more busy during the winter time and there was year and 2 large acquisitions that came in a short period of time. When the 2 acquisitions came in, I then needed to complete tasks that I was not completely trained on due to my short training, however through the support of the acquisition teams and business teams, the end result was positive. The 3rd quarter I think I was finally comfortable with my role and could manage the workload. Lastly in my last quarter a large project came in which had several unforeseen complications that needed to be sorted out. After that I was preparing for my leave with my checkpoint journal and 12 month presentation, which is extremely important to your chances of being offered a grad role. Overall I would say at times I was slightly overloaded, but I have no complaints with the workload throughout the course of the year.

The responsibility I was given was huge. Firstly I was the only assistant in the team, therefore almost all the analytical work came to me. Also some of the tasks I was completing had legal implications and could potentially cause IBM to be liable if I was not proficient in my role. However, my responsibility did not grow substantially, but since I always felt like key part of acquisitions, I would not look at that like a negative.

I feel as though I developed the skills I set out to develop and they will be able to help with my degree studies and beyond, as I will be able to contextualize information better and have a better idea for what solutions would be necessary. The knowledge and experienced I gained from being at a globalized business cannot be underestimated also.

The office had around 25 interns, this made the atmosphere quite welcoming for an intern as it looked as though they had a good intern culture. However the office was also full of CFOs and other high level employees, therefore their impact on IBM was huge and they looked as though they did not want to be bothered.

From the moment I was accepted to the moment I was inducted, I felt as though the process ran smoothly. Also the internship is divided into quarters with a review at the end of each and 12 month review which is vital to your end of year score. Also there was a checkpoint journal that included all feedback, goals, teams and responsibilities that you had or were involved in.

I believe they invested well an expected a certain amount of engagement from yourself. The training I got for my role was short, but was due to logistics rather than quality of training. Also there were educational events and events centered around development of employ ability understanding. Moreover there was an online educational tool called think40, that had training and learning in all parts of IBM.

The organization looks very appealing to a grad like myself. They have highlighted numerous times that IBM look for the role that is right for you rather than just placing you in a random part of the business. Moreover I have also seen many examples of how people career paths change for the better at IBM.

The interns got on really well together and it was always a positive atmosphere.

If you are good at budgeting you will be able to leave IBM with a decent amount of money. But if you re not you might leave skint.

It was student friendly and is good because there is also a large student community already in portsmouth.

There were, but I was not interested in most of them.