Systems Engineer Review

I'm a Systems Engineer in a department handling source code for some of IBM's recent acquisitions. My day-to-day is spent automating processes, working on projects to develop our infrastructure, handling server vulnerabilities, and working on departmental tools to support the acquisition process. I'm very involved in high level architectural decisions for our server environment.

I've learnt more in this last year in IBM than I have in the last 5; the amount of technical skills I've learnt is too long to list. Outside of my technical ability, my confidence has come a long way. I feel like I've hit the ignition on my career as the skills I've learnt enabled me to land a job outside IBM, despite having no relevant [to IT] formal qualifications.

After 2 months I loved my job, but I thought it was just the honeymoon phase of a new job. It turns out I couldn't have been more wrong. I love the challenging nature of my job, and how I'm treated exactly like a regular IBMer rather than an intern.

In my department I don't feel like an intern. I'm free to make decisions that have consequences for how the department operates, as my manager and team trust me. I'm often approached by colleagues for insights into some of the areas I work in. On a company-wide level I have some mixed feelings, but this likely due to the transformation IBM is undergoing. Personally, I have no complaints.

The scheme is well organised, and I have no complaints about the structure. It's fairly hands off, and outside of some occasional events or meetings, it's up to you to manage your progression. Personally, I enjoy this freedom, as it means all the progression I've made has been self-determined and in the areas I want to move into.

I don't receive any training because I'm a Futures placement. However, I have managed to get myself into a few courses and educational opportunities around Hursley, all of which have been fantastic.

I don't receive much support myself, but I know it's there if I want it. I have regular contact with my Early Professional Manager, whose job it is to develop me as an intern, and who has been extremely helpful.

It meets my costs and then some.

The student community at IBM Hursley is large and vibrant, which I've heard is something that's echoed by IBM Southbank. Hursley has tons of opportunities.

Yes

IBM has kick-started my career and developed me as a person. Every day has been enjoyable,

You get out exactly what you put in. If you work hard and go for opportunities outside your role (such shadowing, projects in other departments, giveback) you'll go far.