Offering Operations Analyst Review

I have really enjoyed my internship. It has provided me with a lot of opportunities to gain new skills and build relationships. It has definitely advanced my career

I feel very valued by my colleagues. I am not treated as an intern and more as a normal member of the team. I have received very good feedback from a number of colleagues who are happy to help in my career now and in the future

At IBM, you have an Early Professionals Manager who is responsible for your pastoral care and a Task Manager who you see every day and is responsible for setting your work assignments. Both of these individuals have provided lots of support throughout my year and have helped me succeed in my role.

I am generally very busy, especially in the second half of my placement. I had a quiet time around Christmas but aside from that there is always work to be done and my task manager is happy for me to take part in learning or other activities in different areas of the business if there is not much on.

I was given a lot of responsibility over the course of my year and really feel like I have grown into my role. I have led projects and driven work with very experienced team members. I am also responsible for the tool in which my team works, so am the point of contact for such.

My course is Physics normally, and the job is a Business Operations role so in terms of technical skills, not much. In terms of softer skills I have definitely picked up some skills for life. Presenting in front of people, learning about how a large organisation works, picking up skills in project management and learning how to deal with people in a professional context is just fantastic to get before I have even finished my degree.

In my immediate office the people are mostly older, but there are many interns in the wider building. I also am happy to have a laugh with the older team in the office and really enjoy their company. Everyone is happy to go for a drink or two on a Friday.

IBM has been running internships for 20 years and it is generally very smooth. There is lots of support and people know what they are doing having done it so many times before. Having spoken to some of my friends on placement at other companies, I feel like my year has had more structure.

As previously mentioned, we have an individual appointed as our Early Professionals Manager whose role is our personal development who mentors us throughout our placement. At IBM there is a wealth of online courses which everyone in the company is encouraged to take. These courses may encompass the parts of the business you are in, or softer skills, or new and exciting fields that IBM is involved in such as Blockchain or Cognitive

There is a specific process to go from an intern to a graduate within IBM which we are all encouraged to complete. Our Early Professionals Managers help us find the area that will fit with us best and are generally more than happy to read through our application form, as are most people in my team.

There are over 50 placement interns in my year who are based in the same location as me, down in Hursley. Some of them are now very close friends of mine. We go out every weekend and this has definitely enhanced my placement experience and made me feel at home at IBM

Winchester is expensive, not as much as London, but still expensive. Rent is at least £500 a month

Winchester is not particularly known for its nightlife but Southampton is nearby which is larger if thats what you are looking for. There is one club in Winchester which I wouldn't recommend (Vodka) but Pitcher and Piano is a bar which is always a fun night. If you are looking for a big club, go to Oceana or Switch in Southampton

This is very much encouraged by everyone in IBM. Whether it be working on a client project for someone within my office, taking part in a hackathon or all of the online learning, my task manager encourages me to take time off the day job to take part in activities to develop myself