Network &Infrastructure Specialist Review

The main bulk of my work is setting up networks using routers, switches and firewalls. The operating systems I have gotten used to using on these devices are Juniper and Fortigate. I have been given the task of creating infrastructure to provide more usable devices access to our network in order to provide more clients with services.

I have learned a lot about networking and security best practises as well as having gained a competency in setting up networking devices using a wide range of protocols to create a highly resilient and secure environments. Additionally I have learned a lot about business and professional conduct as well as having gained stronger communication skills in the process.

Most importantly for me I feel like I am making a difference with the work that I am doing. In addition to this the company, team and support team are truly remarkable and have helped me feel at home in a new country and a part of a family of like minded individuals.

The programme has been very structured, although I started the apprenticeship a little after the job commencement date - this gave me time to settle into my role and understand more of what it was I would be doing and how the team operates. I spent a lot of time reading documentation and analysing the existing infrastructure and this gave me a head start on the courses we attended.

The amount of support I receive from the IBM team is actually has taken me by surprise. I feel extremely welcome and don't know if there is any other place I would feel as happy working at. When I have struggled either with work or otherwise, I have always received support from my new friends or from my managers.

So far I have been given all of the training course material in advance to review, the courses are always at the same location with great hospitality, the instructors are very knowledgeable and helpful and the format of the courses, intensive learning, is ideal for me and I have taken a lot from them.

The courses at Firebrand have been useful and thorough - very good foundational knowledge that covers all the bases for a wide range of infrastructure related skills from security to networking to working practises. I would have liked more relevant versions of the learning however as although we were taught for example with Microsoft HyperV, in my day job I use VMware.

There are a number of opportunities for us to take part in networking, business and technical events as well as community giveback events sent to us every week which is very forward thinking, inclusive and something I appreciate IBMers taking the time to do. In addition there are clubs, slack groups and various other ways of meeting new people.

Yes

Honestly I feel like I have found a company who's values I personally share, somewhere that values learning and somewhere where I can make a difference and grow as a professional and as a person. There are only positive experiences I can share and there are only positive things I have to say about IBM.

If you have a strength, focus on it. For example, my interview skills were very poor initially but I was technically knowledgeable about facts concerning the business I was interested in, technologies IBM had in place and I had educated myself to a degree on networking where I could show I had put in some effort. Although I had a weakness of poor interviewing I was recognised for my strength in a passion for technology and my core values and that I feel is what got me through.