Cybersecurity Project Manager Review

I work at a Project Manager within the Cyber Security Business Unit, where alongside supporting the response to verified security incidents, I manage all of our requests for additional services. These requests come from clients directly to myself where I ensure that the request is progressing through out processes. From initial scoping discussions to releasing contracts for which IBM will then deliver services for, I host regular and adhoc team calls to ensure we sell as much as we can and delivery the high quality offerings we have.

Absolutely, my role is all about speaking to people and managing sometimes challenging situations - This has helped me to develop my people and communication skills for which I have also completed courses for to ensure that I can present myself in the best way possible but also deliver the best of IBM to every single one of my clients.

Now don't get me wrong, my apprenticeship is challenging. Especially when I'm working to work, university, and personal deadlines all at the same time - But I absolutely love and thrive in that pressure and I think that passion comes from the fact that I know someone is trusting of me to deliver a high quality result but it also reliant on me for their own successes. This is something I have at such a young age and so early in my career!

My education is delivered through the University of Kent, as such, I have a completely separate support team outside of work for my apprenticeship which is great. But there can sometimes be miscommunications between work and university, this happens often but I know that both parties have the common interest of ensuring I succeed. This is why I am offered the extra time and support I need to ensure I can succeed.

My employer is great, just within my business unit over 20% of the workforce are early professionals and IBM recognises the value we can bring to every team - Hence, we have a huge team called Foundation who support every early professional pathway, our individual careers, and also our own personal challenges outside of work too. It's a culture of growth and support

The University of Kent and I both share the interest in achieving a degree to the best possible grade can - My provider helps me do this by providing regular opportunities to share any concerns I have and ensures that I can access all of the resources I need to succeed.

The apprenticeship pathway I am on is fantastic in allowing me to apply the knowledge I have ,from my one day a week at university, to my day job. Unlike my days at school where I would purely study to pass my exams, I am actually able to apply the knowledge I have as soon as I get my hands on it and I am able to better retrain this knowledge.

The IBM Foundation community has so many Business Resource Groups which are a bit like societies at university - There are always new BRG's popping up for different interests and to ensure people have the opportunity to be themselves. Every community is sponsored by a manager and this allows a great program of events. Such as our Sports and Recreation Community which has planned a trip to Twickenham for 50 IBM early professionals!

Yes

IBM has been an absolute game changer for myself due to the huge amount of opportunities I now have... Not only have I moved to a brand new city and made real friends for life, but I have also created firm foundations for the rest of my career that I know I will carry forwards!

Simply be yourself. To apply to IBM that's all you need to do. IBM welcomes everyone and there are now such barriers. I always think of it as a two way interview, not only is IBM trying to find out if you are the right fit for them but you should also be looking to see if IBM is the right fit for you too.