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
Vast amount of opportunities available due to the size of the company. Learnt a huge amount about how the company and industry work and which direction it is heading in.
Highly valued by some, just another number by others. Very difficult to say.
Although there are a number of great managers and development manager out there, I was dealt an unfortunate hand. My manager was incredibly busy which is why I didn't get a huge amount of time with them and my development manager was borderline non existent. Like I said though, there are far more very good managers out there, I was just unlucky that both of my direct ones weren't great.
Very busy, which for me was great! I enjoyed the work load and would always take the laptop home with me. If there was ever a slight dip in workload I would always ask for me and 9/10 times I would get it.
I was given enough responsibility but due to how busy my manager was, they didn't have the time to train me up to do new things, which in the long run would have eased their workload. Enough, but potential for more.
I learned a huge amount during my year and built on the skills base I brought to IBM, when I go back to finish my degree later this year, I am certain that those skills will play a part in securing a very respectable degree.
The Company
At Southbank the atmosphere differed during the time of the week/month. Very quiet towards the end of each week but towards the end of each month when deals are there to be done, it can be very loud and fast paced which I enjoyed.
IBM have the process down to a T. They are one of the leaders in Internships and developing future leaders. The education and training you receive as an intern as well as your day to day job give you the potential to learn so much
IBM invest in interns in general rather than individually. There are various careers events during the year that every intern is required to go to. I personally felt that they wanted to bring everyone up to a certain level of development. Once you reached that level, regardless of how long it took you, it's then up to you if you want to go further and support is harder to find. Certainly was with my development manager anyway.
Company Parties/Events
Working from home
Very. I am keen to join a different Line of Business that I have been looking into, it has great prospects and really looks to develop the individual and build up a credible CV in the space of 2 years
The Culture
It was very cliquey, groups naturally developed in the first few weeks and there was very little that the Foundation team did to bring everyone together, not that it is there job to do so.
It was rather expensive living in London, but wages were enough to get by. As for for socialising (partying, clubbing etc), it was always going to be expensive.
Very good. Working in central London there is a huge amount of variety.
Not a huge amount to do with IBM, there would be the odd email but anything you wanted you had to do off your own back.
Details
Placement (10 Months+)
Accounting, Banking
London
May 2014