This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
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The Role
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The Company
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The Culture
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
- 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
- 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
- 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
- 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
- 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
- 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
- 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
- 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
- 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
- 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
- 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
The Role
As this was a newly created role, I was given the freedom to develop it and I transformed it into a vital part of a successful business. This responsibility helped me demonstrate my self-drive and creative thinking as well as leave a big impact after I leave the placement.
I had a close group of people I worked with that provided me support and really valued my input. They were very welcoming in the beginning and we have build strong relationships that will last beyond my placement.
My manager was very supportive, he always found time in his busy diary to educate me about the company, how it works, and what it takes to succeed.
I worked on projects and set my own deadlines. It gave me the opportunity to distribute and prioritize my tasks as I saw best.
Within the first month I was asked to organise and lead management meetings, which exposed me to executives and helped me build my network. My manager always valued my judgment, hence I was always happy with the amount of responsibility I got.
I have deepened my skills in Excel, PowerPoint, Prezi, Lotus Notes and many other applications. Moreover, I developed presentation skills, organisational, clear communication and many more that will be highly useful in my last year of university as well as future career.
The Company
Majority of IBMers tend to work from home, so the office was never too loud or busy. Fortunately my team did work in the office and there was always good atmosphere around my desk.
We had 2 day induction before the placement started to help us understand what is expected from us. Also every two months we had a review to check our progress and discuss possible learning opportunities.
I had concluded over 60 hours of education, mostly online. The company rarely organised education that we could physically attend, but we did have a whole day live session on CVs, interviews, and how to succeed in Graduate job applications.
Flexi Time
Subsidised Canteen
National Travel
Financial Bonus
Company Parties/Events
Working from home
The odds of getting a Graduate Scheme after concluding a successful placement year are 1 in 4. It puts a lot of pressure of the students, and makes them really competitive.
The Culture
We had a number of events organised and subsidized by IBM, like a Christmas party in Warwick Castle or a night out in a Casino.
It has been enough to live a comfortable life and save some money on the side.
A few clubs to choose from, and always a great night out!
Volunteering if highly encouraged in IBM and there are many opportunities to get involved within the company events as well as external events. Furthermore, you can do it during the working hours as long as you do not fall behind the workload.
Details
Placement (10 Months+)
Business Management
West Midlands
May 2014