Configuration Analyst Review

I am a Configuration Analyst, where I do deployments, use rational tools or work on scripts. Each day depends on what work comes in and what needs to be deployed at that time so I cannot really say what happens day to day.

I have learned about the Configuration Management team and the roles and responsibility's we have. I have also learnt more about coding, e.g Perl. I have completed a few online courses in different subjects linked to my role such as AIX and Perl.

Everyone I have met at IBM have been very welcoming and helpful, I don't feel excluded because I am younger or an Apprentice. However sometimes it can feel a but disorganized and my role sometimes can be a bit boring because of the team I am on.

I am appreciated by my managers and have had great feedback from them. I have also had outside thanks from one of our clients. However I can feel a bit pointless when there is a lack of work.

It is ok, but I think sometimes because they are still learning about the scheme that it can feel a bit disorganized. For example some of the things I would have thought we should have learnt at the Induction meeting we didn't but we were taught things I learnt at A-Level. My early professional manager is always fast to respond and helps any way he can and does answer questions I have about education. I do feel like I have support I just feel that the admin side of things could be improved

I have a mentor in my office and she helps me out a lot and does answer questions I have. Also I have a lot of people in my team who always answer questions I have.

My Apprenticeship manager is always supportive and helpful, he is my point of call if there is an issue with it. Also my manager at my office is also very helpful and helps when she can and gets me to learn new things. Everyone has a good attitude at helping me.

My salary is fine, I still live at home so I don't have living costs, and my travel costs are expensed at the moment because I work away from my base location. I don't have any complaints in that department.

They do offer a lot of giveback oppertunatises where you promote IBM, be that in a school or college for example. They do let you go on courses outside of IBM if they feel it will be of help. But because I live quite far away I don't do much after work, normally I go out at the weekends. But when i working closer to home it will be better.

Yes

Even with its faults it is a good scheme and does get you a good foot in the world of business and IT. Also after a few more years they maybe able to iron out some more of the issues to make it a more organized scheme.

Don't worry about the IPAT test it's harder than you think, I thought I had failed but then a couple of days later I got an email saying I passed, so you probably have done better than you thought. Also don't worry about the assessment day, be yourself and act like you would in those scenarios, it is based on whether you are right for the company so if you are right they will pick you. Finally be brave at taking opportunities and not waste the time you have in foundation, get all the education you can because it is harder once you leave.