Application Developer/Test Analyst Review

I have worked as a Test Analyst and also an Application Developer. IBM has allowed me to see the full range of the systems life cycle. I have written, executed and developed test cases for an area on my project. I have liaised with many professionals in their specific areas and have worked alongside managers to help them in delivery of the solution to our client. I have also completed a piece of development work which has been incorporated into the whole solution as part of the 4th release of our solution to the client.

I have been able to learn a lot about the systems life cycle of a product, I have learned new skills in testing and application development and also a lot about project management and consulting skills, that IBM is proven to be a global leader in.

I thoroughly enjoy the apprenticeship program with IBM. It allows you to work on a client project, whilst gaining skills that you would not learn at University. We are given a custom learning pack to follow but we can work in any Technical job that we desire, within reason and build on those on-the-job skills. I enjoy liaising with other working professionals in my team and project as well as helping to deliver the final solution to the client through our project managers. Although for this year we have been told for the fourth yearly quarter (October - December), we should not be doing any external learning so that we can meet the demands of our business line within the company. For us apprentices, I believe that this is unfair and it shouldn't impact us, at such a crucial stage in our apprenticeship.

I would say that I am valued by my organisation to an extent, I believe IBM could do better with giving personal time to each individual. I see my development managers (who is the most important person whilst I am on the scheme), once every 2 months, if that. With irregular communications via email and over the phone. This area could be improved slightly.

The scheme is well structured.

This is an areas that must be improved. The support is adequate, but not great. I rarely see my development manager, which isn't as good as it could be. I do not get much guidance and most of the time we are told to 'figure it out for ourselves'. At times I get confused with all the corporate goings-on within IBM that don't match up to our apprenticeship. This area needs serious consideration for improvement.

See answers above.

Fantastic salary, couldn't be bettered.

There are many opportunities for company events, business line days, growth days, think tanks, graduate and apprentice days. There is a community of apprentices and young professionals. An outstanding array of giveback opportunities, to give my free time and volunteer for extra 'different' work. Excellent.

Yes

IBM is a great company name to have on your CV. IBM is a world leader in IT and Consulting and the IBM apprenticeship scheme is good, but also like every other.. needs improvement.

Be willing to tolerate ambiguity. Be willing to wait for things to happen and be prepared to manage your manager!