Security Operations Business Analyst Review

My job role during this placement year as a Security Operations Analysts will be to assist and help the Security BU achieve their targets and succeed. - Source data for Business team (Actuals, Budgets etc.) - Interact with a lot with members of senior leadership team - Minimal to no external interactions - Creating reports & PowerPoints for analysis and reviews - Co-ordinating the process and actions for Fall Plan (Budget setting) - Running weekly Sales Interlock Call with both Sales Leaders

Although the placement was entirely virtual I have still been able and grateful to be given the opportunity to expand and grow in a number of ways - - Excel Proficient - Professional communications improved drastically - Completed number of badges through YourLearning experience - Navigation through Active Sheets eg (WWConsol & WSB) - Have learned through operations how large organisations such as IBM work and function - EPM basics (New reporting tool) - Attention to detail in reports and with numbers drastically improved.

At IBM the general feel is that interns are straight away entrusted with the responsibilities of a graduate/apprentice. Personally - - In charge of co-ordinating the setting of budgets for 2021 (Fall Plan) for the Security Business - Running the New Signings file which identifies newly won signings and highlights whether or not they have been loaded in the system as well as the disparities between what we expected and what we actually gained. Often need to chase up the relevant people for further understanding. - Collating and creating the slides for the Bi-weekly business review where the entire senior leadership team review the Business from a High level. Also sit in calls to take notes and respond to any needs needing your attention.

The support and guidance at IBM is everywhere, you simply have to look for it and ask. The culture and people are all so friendly and helpful and I am yet to meet a non approachable figure, including our Director Rob Sedman (who is great!). I was assigned a task Manager and Foundation Manager who dealt with the more pastoral side of things. I was also given a mentor, someone more junior to catch up with once a week in case I needed anything.

The culture at IBM (Security) is fantastic. The people are warm and welcoming and everyone whilst they know they have a job to do, are always ready to help with a hand where needed. Being remote the entire year it was not easy, especially at the beginning learning everything from scratch from my computer screens. However this was all made much easier with the people I could turn to with help and of course my fantastic Task/Line Manager Mark Jarvis.

Other than the fact we were remote the entire time and I have only met my close team members once before. It has been great, like mentioned previously the culture and people at IBM make it fun to work for. Of course it also comes down to whether or not you enjoy your role, but that is more of a personal preference. In terms of the people, no complaints here. The fact however that you are given a lot of responsibility as an intern, does make the placement your more rewarding in the end.

Yes

Be yourself... Of course. But also IBM are looking for people that will fit with their culture so do your research on their core values and make sure you can align yourself with those. Also do make sure you have researched what IBM actually do as a Business and if that interests you in the long term. The assessment center with IBM from what I can remember is you will need to show that you can bring new, diversified and innovative ideas to the table whilst being able to listen to others around you and collaborate well with others.