Cloud Technical Sales / Software Engineer Review

My role includes helping the cloud team build chatbots for clients, which would mean preparing questions which would be used to train the chatbot and create proof of concepts. I would manage a technical briefing series which would require me to schedule meetings with subject matter experts, record their presentations, edit and post them. I would aid the ICCVE team in the maintenance of their system using programming languages such as PHP, React.JS and Node.JS

I learnt how to adapt quickly and be able to figure things out as I go along. Many times I had to create a script in a programming language that I had zero experience in and was under strict time constraints. As a result, I was able to lean Node.JS, React.JS and some Javascript. Due to the continuous learning mentality of IBM, I was also encouraged to do a lot of courses.From this I was able to improve upon my python skills and start building personal projects.

I was asked to manage a technical briefing series within my first 2 weeks of joining. I had a lot of responsibility in this project and essentially it was kept alive due to me. I was tasked with creating the official website for the series, scheduling times to meet with the subject matter experts, then recording, editing and posting their presentation to the IBM platform. I also had to deal with any technical difficulties that arose during the filming.

There was a great amount of support both from my task manager and my foundational manager. There were weekly calls that gave me an opportunity to ask for help and reflect on my progress as an intern. They had a genuine interest in our discussions and wanted to help. When I asked my manager to move to a new team for more projects he helped bridge the connection to whichever part of the business I desired.

Everybody is friendly, it is not as formal as you might imagine. Everybody is willing to help and give you any advice. It is not foreign for someone to make a mistake so people are quick to forgive. Help and community is available for those who seek it, you need to be willing to talk to new people and open yourself for different experiences. Since the internship was virtual it was tough to gauge the atmosphere but the majority of people I met were positive.

I enjoyed it very much. I appreciate how I was able to move between multiple parts of the business to pick up multiple different skills. I feel like I was tested many times during my time at IBM but I am happy to have made it through with all the skills and experience I gathered. I believe my industry awareness was significantly developed and that I am now able to confidently walk into my next role knowing I have the skills to succeed there.

Yes

Figure out who you desire to become at the end of your placement, set goals to work towards being that person. Make sure you are constantly checking what you want to achieve against how you are performing, this will give you more clarity and allow you to know how to improve. This is your year and you are in control of how well you do. Do not fear anything, half of the people you meet will forget you, so it is okay to make mistakes.