UKI Product Marketing Specialist Review

Day-to-day role focussed on helping product and industry marketing managers execute their plans. This includes activities such as driving internal and external communications, organsing and excecuting events (gathering leads to pass onto sales) and building quarterly plans for their respective business units. Most days are not the same and there are lots of different projects as you assist marketing managers for the entire business.

IBM has good professional skills learning assets, available to all employees. Some of this is compulsory, but you are encouraged to carry out at least 40 hours of learning or development a year. IBM Design Thinking and Agile are common project management methodologies with online training, but it could range from blockchain to industry specific. Once completed you receive a digital 'badge' and can share on LinkedIn or CV.

I enjoy going to work on a daily basis. During quiet times, flexibility with time and working from home mean you don't have to sit and do nothing, but when it is busy there can be a few exciting deadlines - a real thrill. Social life is good and the community of interns and apprentices is great. Everyone across the business is on the whole very nice and approachable.

The programme has a clear structure. For futures, there are quarterly meetings, organised by members of the group. The activities usually reflect the stage of your placement and are designed to improve your skills and experience. Most futures have same EPM and most started at the beginning. Only improvement would be to have more interlock with futures.

The support mechanism is great at IBM. All early professionals have an EPM (Early Professional Manager) who is focussed on your pastoral care and development. Regular reviews every quarter make sure you know you have someone looking out for you and you can schedule chats more regularly too. My task manager (Line manager) was also very proactive and weekly interlocks made sure I had a variety of work and ushered me in the right direction if lost.

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There are almost 200 interns in the UK so you will always have a good sized friendship group among them. There a lots of opportunities to socialise in and around London. Most teams tend to host socials around Christmas and summer. IBM discount at the understudy next to the office is a god-send on a sunny Thursday for after work drinks :) Only downside is the price of going out in London.

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My decision to take a gap year was the best decision I made. I am happy I went to IBM instead of anywhere else because it has a good atmosphere, it is a huge company and there are lots of opportunities for career development. Makes you feel proud when you see the work you're helping to do.

Be yourself. IBM is a huge multinantional corporation, but unlike other selection proccesses, it was the most down-to-earth and there is less pressure. You won't feel judged by your background or experiences. They invest in people and personalities, not your grades or background. If you are yourself, you will know if IBM is right for you and IBM will know if you are right for them. That is key to a successful placement.