UK Total Compensation Support Specialist Review

The year went fairly quickly, there was lots to do and the people you worked with made it worthwhile.

Everyone working around you were friendly and really supportive, they made you feel like you were really part of the team.

I was given a lot of support and attention, my manager tried to meet with me on a one to one basis as often as he can and helped much in trying to further my own personal goals and education. After completing a project the team including me were thanked personally by the director of UK, which made you feel like you made a difference.

I was kept very busy and there was always a job to do. Often, managing different projects was difficult especially when you were often distracted with ah hoc requests or questions from others in the office. It was difficult not to feel bad when you see the rest of the team working through lunch or late at night everyday, which I had to do sometimes just to keep on top with my tasks - and for HR there was no overtime pay.

I was seen as another member of the team so had my fair share of the project and responsibility.

I learnt a lot of the busy world of working in a large organisation. Time management and project management is essential. I also worked with different teams outside of the UK, with pensions and with managers. Even though I worked in a very specific team, it has helped with many of my subjects such as law, leadership, employee relations management, diversity management.

The office was nice and open. People would chat so the atmosphere was not restricting. It was sometimes distracting when others are on a call, however, being a student it was just interesting to listen to what others do in their daily jobs. However, the air con was really bad the office felt stuffy and you could not really see outside from your desk. Sometimes when being in a meeting room all day, you would not know when the day turned dark.

It was really well organised. Placements in IBM are set up through a team called Foundation who are responsible for you throughout the year. You had your task manager but also a Personal manager within Foundation who took care of your development and well being during the year.

Foundation had organised a couple of talks and workshops for placement students to attend and gave us an insight to the types of future jobs there would be available to us after university. They encouraged for us to activity seek out 'give back' activities to develop our personal goals such as helping with other parts of the business, shadowing others, volunteering in schools etc. However, I was so busy I was not allowed to participate in these activities as much as I would have liked.

The graduate scheme is also through Foundation and they help provide a good stable start to a career within IBM

There was a very large student community in North Harbour IBM and we all lived close to each other so socially it was very good. Although my working team was busy we did try to go out and relax and have a meal once in a while and be friends not just colleagues.

I lived really close to IBM, in Hilsea. The rent prices were good, however, shops and banks etc were hard to get to as they were all at least a half an hour walk away. Food delivery were mostly the only option. We had to also get a bus or train into city centre if we wanted anything. Those living in Portsmouth city centre obviously had pay for the train up however a free shuttle bus from the station to IBM made that more convenient. Sometimes sharing a taxi in Portsmouth would work out cheaper than getting the public transport...

Nightlife in Gunwharf Quays was very good and lively. Lots of student deals.

I did bit of volunteering in a school, but other than that and a few trips to the gym there were not much time to do much outside of work.