Technical Support Review

I have had a fantastic year working at IBM Warwick. I have been able to work in a variety of different areas throughout the year and probably learnt more than I did in my university. I would highly recommend others to apply.

The team I have worked in has been fantastic - there has not been a single person that hasn't made me feel like an essential part of the team. I also work with three other University Placement Students which has been fun. I will be staying in contact with many of them after I leave.

I have my main task manager who I sit with every day and he has been great through the year - even helping me outside of work. I also have an Early Professional Manager who has supported me through the year and been more than happy to help me arrange shadowing in other areas of the company.

This varied through the year, If I was involved in setting up an event I would be very busy through the days, balancing other aspects of my job too. At some points it did get a little quiet but it's very easy to get more work if you ask for it.

I was given a lot of responsibility through the year - I was not treated as a tea girl (although we have drunk a lot of tea this year!) I acted on behalf of my manager many times and was trusted to organise events through out the year.

The job I have had this year will greatly help me when I return to University. I have learnt so much about how IBM works and things about business that I could have never learned from my degree.

The atmosphere at Warwick was very nice but not really busy. However, because of this it meant the group of roughly 30 University Placement Students became very close through the year and probably had the best social lives out of all the locations.

Overall the placement was set up very well. IBM has a whole unit devoted to "early professionals" called Foundation. They gave clear communications before we started and the Placement Students I was taking over from gave me a very thorough handover.

The company was good at delivering education that could also be relevant for a job outside of IBM too, which is handy if you don't want to come back as a graduate. However, in terms of paid for training this generally is reserved more for the graduates and apprentices.

There is a chance to apply for an internal route to a Graduate job but there is no job offers automatically handed out at the end of the placement. However, there is a chance to be fast tracked through to the interview stage from being a placement student.

Yes we had a fantastic time outside of work. We had IBM Club Warwick which organised larger events such as going to Alton Towers, chances to see plays or even playing golf. The Placement Students also had loads of nights out together or went out for meals.

Cost of living is pretty well priced in Leamington - I pay just over £300 per month for the house that I currently live in and it's spacious with a nice garden. Nights out are also fairly well priced - not the cheapest ever but you can find good deals.

The nightlife is pretty good in Leamington - there's not very many clubs but we've had loads of great nights out in a group so the people make it brilliant. There's a few clubs and loads of pubs and bars around though.

Yes there were plenty of opportunities to get involved outside of IBM called "Give Back" - I set up careers evenings for local schools and had the chance to get involved with some woodland management in the local area.