IT Solutions Specialist Review

My first role upon joining IBM saw me become a Software Support Specialist. I would deal with a variety of queries around a mixture of different tools, some technical, some admin, supporting both internal and external customers and users. My next role saw me move up within this team to Support Team Lead, where I would continue to provide support, but also manage a team of four, ensuring we were delivering a good level of service to our clients. My current role I have switched over into PMO, to see other sides of the business. In this role I work with the Project Manager and Governance Team, providing support in a variety of project activities, including on boarding, commercials, reporting.

During my time at IBM, I have learned and developed several new & old skills. IBM has allowed me to develop into a mature IT professional. Through training courses & day to day activites, my time management, communication & people management skills have increased sevenfold. In particular I am able to deal and handle customer & user interactions with great ease. I am now technically literate & have developed a wide variety of skills in which I can apply accross the IT industry.

One reason I believe I have enjoyed my programme so much, is due to the amount of freedom and responsibility you are given right from the start. You are in control of your career & can choose what you want to expertise in. If you are in a role you do not like, you are able to find another - IBM encourage at this early stage we move around a lot to find what works for us. Right from the start, I was treated and seen as an equal & given "proper" jobs, I was not making cups of tea. This means you are getting stuck in & your work is meaningful, which is always a good feeling.

IBM treat us apprentices exceptionally well. As mentioned above, we are given responsibilities right from the start, this shows IBM trust us & value us and want us to do well and make the most of our time in the company. IBM are happy to support you in training & there are a wide variety of Internal and External courses, which are often sent out by various communities for early professionals. This shows they want to ensure we are skilled up for the future.

Upon joining IBM, new apprentices attend a two week induction course in which you learn the ways of IBM. As people of all abilities & backgrounds join the apprenticeship scheme, this course is designed to bring everyone up to speed. During this course, the apprenticeship "plan" is detailed. There are a further two or three mandatory courses which are organised to help you achieve the majority of your credits & grow as a professional. There are time frames in which you need have completed your work by. If ever you are confused, your Early Professional Manager will be able to guide you and get you back on track.

The internal courses have been created with the help of our training provider. With our apprenticeship, a lot of training is provided in house therefore there is no need to go college. A lot of the courses you can take to achieve credits are IBM internal. I have been to the college once to take an exam, and they were helpful and provided me with useful materials beforehand to revise.

As an apprentice, you become part of IBM Foundation. Foundation is the part of IBM dedicated to Early Professionals. Upon joining you will receive an older apprentice as a mentor & you will be assigned to your Early Professional Manager (EPM). Your EPM is an experienced IBMer, your career coach, whose sole job is to guide & manage Early Professionals. They are able to help in all aspects of IBM and we have regular review meetings. Your EPM is who you discuss your career with and they will offer you advise on how to reach your goals.

The IBM apprenticeship salary is very competitive, I believe it is one of the best out there. The salary regularly increases as time goes on and your experience increases until you are around aligned with the grads. If you have to travel further away than your base location (depending on your project & approvals) expenses can be paid to cover your travel. I am currently working over 200 miles away from home and my travel, food & hotel expenses are covered by IBM.

There is plenty to do outside of work. Each project has various activities open to everyone, I currently play in the five a side team on my project. IBM locations have clubs which offer and run activities and day trips such as Musicals, Sports games, city trips etc. Foundation and the Apprentices have a great sense of community and you make several friends from this. We often meet up, go for drinks etc. I have been skiing with two other apprentices.

Yes

I would recommend IBM to a friend because of the great support system and how it has allowed me to grow so much. I feel that IBM do care about their apprentices and want us to be trained to be the best we can be. We are treated with respect and given real responsibilities right from the start. We are encouraged to learn. There are endless routes in IBM & each job is different, so you can definitely find something that is ideal for you.

When/before applying for IBM, check out the website & IBM apprenticeship blogs. You can see what life is like as an apprentice there & also learn what IBM are looking for & what we value. It is also a good idea to see what IBM are currently doing and learn a bit about the company, it shows you are interested and switched on.