UKI Product Marketing Specialist | Social Media SME Review

My work placement was an amazing experience. I got to meet some amazing people who all have incredibly different skills. Working in this marketing department really has opened my eyes into what goes on in a department of this size (around 200). In addition, my fellow placement students (around 140) were brilliant. Meeting new people from different backgrounds, who all have different talents was great.

I felt very valued by my colleagues, not only the placement student community, but that of my marketing team. They were helpful and easy to talk to, they valued my input and made me feel like I was a valued member of the team.

The support I received from my manager was great, he really was one of the best in the company and I don't think I could have had anyone better, who truly understood things from my perspective when needed.

VERY! My role started as a fairly normal day job, but quickly grew when people found out that I had skills that were desirable. However, I still managed to finish on time most days (apart from a few where events were coming up and things needed sorting out).

A lot of responsibility is given. Managers like to be able to give you tasks that you can lead on to demonstrate your talents if you're comfortable doing so. However, if you don't want to be given responsibility, you can always say no - though I wouldn't recommend it!

A huge amount! I learned more in the last year than I could have imagined. I think I will be going back to university with a completely different mindset and work ethic. The skills that I have developed: communication, project management and work-life balance are skills that most students don't have, so being able to have that is amazing. I will also be walking away from IBM with qualifications in Agile and Design Thinking, something which I had never heard of; but now, something which I couldn't live without!

I tended to work with the marketing department. They were very fun and upbeat, as were the developers and the designers. Though, I sat with the Sales placement students as being in that environment helps you to figure out how marketing can help the sales teams (and how they can help you). It is a fun atmosphere at the right time - but coming up to quarter close and year end, it can be very stressful.

Very well. I cannot fault it. From the day we started on Induction we were talked through a lot of the processes. It was good to be in a group of people that you probably won't work directly with, but you may need them for advice or other activities during your placement.

They invested in me from day one. The moment I started my manager explained that the standard issue laptop would not cut the job that I would be doing and therefore bought me a new one. In addition, they invest heavily in education and personal development. IBM tends to cover all bases

I would love to have a job in the marketing department. I have realised that it is now something that I would like to pursue as a career as I wasn't sure before I started my placement. Plus, there is the opportunity to see what other people do and get an insight.

Yes. All of the placement students are friendly and will happily go for nights out with each other. We stick together and become a community. Additionally in the marketing department they are a great bunch, they're fun and know how to have a good time. Overall a great social scene for anyone who likes to have fun.

Cost of living for rent ranges. Some were paying around £600 per month for a room, others were paying £1000. It depends upon how much you can afford and where you want to be. A lot of placement students live in Clapham or South East London (Canada Water, New Cross area).

On the Southbank there is plenty to do, there is a bar directly across from the office which often gets incredibly busy on a Thursday (plus you get staff discount). Additionally there is the bar where a lot of the placement students go to, Topolski - it is close to Waterloo and offers a 2 hour 2 for 1 for IBM badge holders.

There were opportunities to get involved outside of work with other placement students. There were also "giveback" opportunities where you would volunteer your time to give back to the community. for example in marketing we run a scheme called "Marketing Matters" for charities that don't have dedicated marketing departments that want to understand the basics of marketing or social media.