Emerging Technologies Software Engineer Review

I had an amazing time at IBM. The workload was challenging but I wasn't over worked, and I had many opportunities to learn new skills.

I was very lucky to work in a small department, so got to know most people very well. I felt valued, and there was always someone around to help out if I needed it.

I had Personal Development Manager (PDM) and a day-to-day Task Manager. My PDM was helpful but I didn't see her very often. My Task manager was extremely supportive, as were the other members of the department I was in.

Due to the type of work I was doing, I would sometimes have little or a lot of work to do, but due to having flexible working hours, I could spend a couple of hours each day more or less depending on my workload.

I was given quite a lot of responsibility, but my colleagues understood that I was new to the world of work, so support was always available.

My placement year was undoubtedly the most valuable year of my life so far. I gained many life skills and matured a lot during the year. I also gained a lot of technical knowledge through working, as opposed to trying to learn in a classroom or from a book.

My department was like a big family. It was a great place to be.

There were very few hitches throughout the year. It was overall very easy. The first application process can be slightly confusing, but when the ball is rolling there will be no problems.

There was a huge amount of learning opportunities available to me. I was given access to all the same materials that regular employees got, including online and real life courses.

I'd love to return to IBM, as the whole mentality of the place is amazing. I would however like to get some experience of other work environments too.

There were around 35 Gap Year students like myself across the country, with 10 of us in the location I was based at. There are also a large number of Industrial Placement students and many graduates who are all very friendly.

I was lucky to have a placement near home so I could live rent free. I had enough money saved by the end of the year to go travelling. The rest of the students at my location didn't seem to have any financial problems. A number of them lived together in a shared house to help with the cost of living.

The nightlife in Winchester is pretty shocking, but Southampton is cheap and easy to get to, and it's not hard to get to London or a number of other places.

One of IBM's initiatives is called Giveback, which encourages employees to gave back to the community, through any number of different pathways. A common one is to help at events for school children.