Customer Engineer Review

by IBM

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

7.7/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

I am a CE (customer Engineer) who is trained in repairing IBM equipment for IBM's customers, this usually requires me to talk to IBM's customers on a Daily basis as well as do hands on repairs sometimes travelling to their sites. The responsibilities I have are very important as I am an IBMer I represent everything that IBM is worth and have to show this when interacting with a client, as I am fixing their hardware I have also got to make sure that what I do doesn't cause the machine to lose any data and keep what they tell me to myself or those who need to know.

9/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have got a Cisco networking and routers qualification so far but have hands on traing on IBM storage systems of DS8000s and X series servers

9/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy working with the team I am in as they are all laid back and we can all have a good laugh while getting the work the done, the companies culture is rather strict on what to wear and how we represent ourselves, but it didn't meet my expectations as I thought it would be alot more strict. Overall I do enjoy it

9/10

4. How valued do you feel by IBM?

Could be more valued, my PDM appreciates all her apprentices but my task manager doesn't, but from what I have heard this isn't the same with everyone, I am valued in my team as I always provide a different view on things when stuck and I take the work load off of them meaning better service can be provided from us all

7/10

5. How well organised/structured is your programme?

The basic training is very well organised from induction to all the neccassary training courses and meeting with our PDMs, but outside of the standard training it isn't well organised with what other learning courses you could be doing for your role

8/10

6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?

PDM gives me a good bit of support where as my task manager doesn't, but the rest of the team are very supportive and helpful

8/10

6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Task manager doesn't give much support, but the team do

3/10

7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?

It covers everything from living costs and travel costs but you aren't left with much for social costs, especially if you live away from home

7/10

8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?

They do IBM corportate games, which is exactly as it sounds like and there are several events you can go to to network and make new links in the company

9/10

9. Would you recommend IBM to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

The experience is great and if you do well and essentially a Job for life

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to IBM?

Overall with the interview, keep to the point and when in team activities don't be quiet as otherwise they won't pick you. When an opportunity comes up take it with both hands