Tools and Workload Manager Review

I work within a Level 2 Support Team for a specific software product. I am responsible to acknowledging incoming tickets from customers that have a problem and would like assistance and then assigning the tickets out to suitable engineers. I help the team monitor cases for any customer escalations, look after cases for engineers that take time off and chase inactive cases for closure.

Using the companies internal learning platform, I have been able to take an Excel course, a 'People Skills' course (which focusses on improving soft skills such as communication, team work and presenting effectively), and learn the basics about blockchain. In my role, I have been able to pick up soft skills such as how to network and communicate with clients (both internal and external) in a professional manner.

My direct role didn't leave me with a lot of responsibilities. This has meant that I was able to spend a good amount of my spare time joining in on interesting projects other teams were working on, going to schools and giving talks and networking with other IBMers. It was also much easier for me to allocate time to taking training courses.

IBM have built a great community for Early Professionals - We have bi-weekly calls with each other to network, share any exiting announcements as well as ask any questions we may have. Each intern has a foundation manager who they can go to for support for pretty much anything. We also have a task manager who is responsible for giving out tasks, your direct team who can help you with your work if you are unsure as well as all the other IBMers whom I have found to all be very friendly and happy to help.

The company engages in a lot of volunteer work and encourages IBMers to do so as well. We hold charity events, go around schools to give talks in our spare time, hold sessions to help upskill students. We have a lot of communities formed - for sports, reading, mindfulness, networking on an international level, BAME etc which are very active. In person events have been arranged from time to time so that IBMers can socialise in person too. IBMers are very friendly and personable.

I've unexpectedly learnt quite a bit about myself during my time on the internship - How I interact with others, whether or not I'm a proactive individual, my work environment preferences, my ability to manage time effectively and also where my interests lie. I've been able to get a more accurate idea of work work life is like (its very different to the one week work experience opportunities we get offered at school!) I think it was a great way to start off my career as an early professional - I'm in a great team, those in the company are all very friendly and I've been able to give myself a head start in my career. I've made friends, figured out what I want to do for next steps and feel more confident as an individual.

Yes

Make sure you read up on the company's culture and values, its history and recent activities. Its important that you share an interest in technology even if you aren't a technical individual. We are a friendly company, so make sure you come across as friendly :) Make sure to speak up in the assessment centre - you don't have to be the one leading but you need to show eagerness to help the team and willingness to contribute.