iX Design Intern Review

As a consultant, I worked on client projects alongside a team of talented designers. My work consisted of design thinking, facilitating research sessions and producing tactile solutions through digital experiences.

I've learned a lot about working alongside clients to achieve mutual benefit and produce business results. I have also been able to develop my approach to design thinking and using software such as Freehand, Mural and Sketch. I have also learned how to work in an Agile software development team, which is essential in the tech industry.

I found that you were given as much or as little responsibility as you wanted. Depending on your both your project/client and your willingness to prove yourself, you are often treated the same as other employees.

I was given great support from the start of the placement, being given both an intern manager and a role-specific manager. Both of these managers were helpful, informative and incredibly approachable. I also found myself picking up mentors throughout the year who went above and beyond, assisting me regarding career-progression and my design work.

Everyone I met during my placement year have been a pleasure to work with. IBM employees are knowledgable, driven and always willing to help out. The culture is relaxed but productive.

I had a great year on my placement. Despite being restricted to working from home due to the pandemic, our intern-managers seemed to make a real effort to ensure us interns mixed with each other, and provided the opportunities to network with those able to help us progress our careers. I have been able to develop my interpersonal, teamwork and design skills and find myself in a great position to return for my final year of university.

Yes

Make sure you are prepared for interview/portfolio reviews by doing research and making notes on everything you want those hiring to know. It is important you can explain your thought process behind the statements you say and the decisions you have made. Mainly be confident in yourself; interviewers are never trying to catch you out - they just want to get to know what you know.