Technical Consultant Review

Technical Consultant - Working on various projects/ accounts all over the world, in a variety of different industries. Many of the projects revolve around infrastructure and software development. On a day to day basis I advise the client that I am working for what they can do to speed up implementation process and much more.

Since joining the IBM apprenticeship scheme, I have been going on many internal training courses to develop me for my future career within consulting. There have also been many other opportunities for me to obtain external qualifications such as ITIL Foundation. Most of the stuff that I have learned throughout my time at IBM has been through on the job training. For example, learning how to communicate and manage stakeholders effectively.

I enjoy the programme quite a lot as it opens plenty of new opportunites for me. The work itself is quite fun at times. However, occasionally you can be dragged into a project that is desperate for resources, and become stuck there for quite some time. The team(s) that you work in are always changing as it is the nature of the company to move around from project to project quite a lot. This is good and bad in some ways... good as you get to meet a wide range of professionals that can help you in your career, bad because you can miss out on building strong relationships with your colleagues. The company culture is quite a nice one to be in at times, as occasionally you could be invited along to an amazing opportunity i.e. work on a project at the tennis tournament Wimbledon. On the other hand, there are many times where it seems as though there are different rules for different people which can make it seem like quite an unfair place to work.

At times, you can feel quite valued by IBM as they occasionally reward you for the hard work that you put in. However, on occasion it feels as though there are particular employees that are given the lime light more than others, which makes it tough to stand out amongst your peers.

The programme itself is well structure and organized by a great team of development managers. The development managers are there to help you progress in your career by ensuring that you are on track with studies and feeling happy within the workplace.

There is a reasonable amount of support received through the schemes training provider. There are many courses & facilities made available that can help you to develop in your profession.

IBM provide a lot of support in your own personal development. Whether it be for education, work-related issues, or outside personal issues, there is always someone there to provide advice.

When working in London, the salary was pretty tough to live on as you would be spending about 1/3 of it on traveling to the office each week. However, if you work outside of London, or away from your base location, you are given travel expenses which can take away a huge hit from your wallet. In addition, a lot of people are miss-sold the way that your salary increases during your time on the apprenticeship scheme; this can lead to apprentices joining other companies as they are willing to offer more money.

There are quite a few of opportunities outside of work. Many are encouraged by the company itself as a way to promote the brand. All outside opportunities are to be taken during peoples own time which puts a lot of people off from taking part.

Yes

You will be working with many huge named brands, in delivering a quality service. The on the job experience that you receive is great, as you receive many of it from people that have been in the business for years.

Be open minded about working anywhere in the country/ world. You will be required to travel where the work is on your project, and should not expect a short 10 minute drive to work each day (unless you're lucky to live that far away from the project that is!)