Compliance Analyst Review

A great experience overall. Worked with friendly and helpful people. Allowed to take on lots of responsibility. The fact that IBM is involved in so much meant that there was always something interesting you could learn about. This was supported with great online learning material, as well as the ability to talk to communicate easily with anyone from anywhere in the company. However, right from the outset, the petty internal politics (at different levels) seemed to be a big issue. This manifested itself in various ways, but ultimately it often seemed as though people/departments were not aligned and were working against each other, which resulted in poor service for customers. Despite IBM's great marketing and supposed focus on customers, I saw little evidence of this at an internal level with provision of our services, which was very disappointing. Information systems were more often that not simply inadequate and often resulted in great disarray within the company. I always felt they could badly do with getting their own consultants to work on departments across the board.

One of the best aspects of IBM- most people I worked with (from other students to high level managers) helped make it an enjoyable experience. I felt my work was definitely valued by those that it affected.

Task manager (external contractor) decided not to give any of his student employees feedback, and was generally absent from any involvement with us. However, as I'd managed to become involved in other projects, I had project managers who were very supportive, helpful and approachable.

I was very busy most of the time, but never felt as though work was simply being "dumped" on me. I had taken on several projects which took a lot of work, but I was simply responsible for the ultimate result, and didn't have strict short term deadlines which would get in my way.

As mentioned previously, allowed to take on lots of projects.

Learned some technical skills which will help me in working in a similar environment in the future. However, I am most grateful for the "soft skills" that I developed, and the confidence it gave me.

Was probably lucky to be around other students, but other colleagues around us were really easy to get on with as well.

I started the placement going into one role, and changed within days. The change itself was good, but the fact that it happened was a bit unexpected. Also, I witnessed every other student that started in my department be played around with quite a lot. Very few people working with me had actually applied to work in IT, which is what the role actually was. Finally, IBM have made a good effort in creating a "foundation" department specifically for managing student recruits. However, I often felt it was quite badly managed, and the fact that students themselves ran many aspects of it wasn't always a positive.

Great training material available online. The training I received within my role was perfectly adequate, and there was always people who would support me with any queries.

Constantly changing recruitment process. I understand they're trying to improve it, but also felt as though we were played around with quite a bit. In the end, the process agreed to was not followed. From contact with other grads, I know people who have waited a long time after acceptance to get an actual role. In one case, this ended up being the same role I took on as a placement student!! so definitely no guarantees...

Not everyone got involved, but for those who did, we had a great time.

happened to find cheap accommodation in Leamington (near warwick). "socialising" there isn't the cheapest, but definitely affordable with the salary IBM gives.

Nightlife is definitely not Warwick's strongest point. I lived in Leamington which was slightly better, but again, not the best. However, once we found the right place, we knew how to have a great time.

This was, in fact, encouraged, and promoted heavily.