Developer Review

From day to day, I attend and run agile ways of working like daily stand ups and retros. Once getting tickets I can work on I spend the rest of the day learning new technologies or doing software engineering for the various clients IBM iX has, which is mostly JavaScript related technologies. I have a foundation and task manager that help me keep aligned with my goals and get involved in various projects that suit my interest.

I was not a developer before joining IBM, but from all of the learning resources I got I was able to pick up in coding languages and frameworks that I was interested in and to be able to work on client projects. Furthermore, working with a team and speaking with clients helped me improve on my soft skills like communication and organisation as well as leadership and flexibility that you need to thrive in consulting.

I was taken aback by the amount of responsibility you can have in a project based on your enthusiasm and eagerness to explore new opportunities. I was a technical lead for a proof of concept for a big account for iX as I was invested in the technology they wanted to use. This was a great experience since I was able to improve my technical skills in terms of solution architecture but also showcase my leadership skills.

At IBM you are given two managers, the task (line) manager is the one more tied into your role and what you do on a day to day however they are usually quite busy, but you also get a foundation manager that helps you with your career development and any wellbeing you may need. In iX, you can reach out to anyone for help if you are stuck or do not know what to do.

I believe IBM iX has a very inclusive atmosphere, there were some socials organised by the team and lots of ways to interact with people around you. Professionally, there is a lot of momentum towards learning something new, or upskilling in your current role. Every IBMer needs to have at least 40 hours of learning a year, and IBM has an internal learning tool for their services and many other certifications you need for your role.

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement. When I went in I was unsure of what I wanted to do after university but after exposure to software engineering I know I want to pivot into the technical sector. I think more guidance and organisation could have helped for me to make the most of my internship in some of my projects. But it helped me be more independent in a professional environment and know when to ask for help.

Yes

Be authentic and be yourself. IBM is not looking for someone that knows everything but rather someone that has the potential to learn and grow. Research about what IBM is doing now and what kind of placement roles would interest you coming in. Think about what makes you special and why IBM is a good suit for you, you can be given a lot of responsibility and opportunities from your courage and curiosity to be involved.