%%PAGE TITLE%%

University: University of Bristol
Degree subject: Computer Science
Insider Tip: Be enthusiastic

• Why IBM?

  I applied to IBM because I’d spoken to people before who work for IBM and they told me what a good company it was to work for. Whilst at university I applied for IBM’s Extreme Blue internship, which runs for 12 weeks over the summer. For that we came here, to Hursley Software Development Labs. I had such a brilliant time over the summer, it was such a nice place to work that I knew when I finished my degree it was where I wanted to come back.

• What is your current role?

  Since I started here at Hursley in September, my main role has been as a software engineer. That’s encompassed two roles - the first one was a function verification tester, which was testing the product that I’m working on. That was good as it got me to see an overview of the product before I went into a development role. I did that for 4 or 5 months and then moved into a development role, which is what I’m currently doing now. This involves developing the code for the product rather than testing it.

• How do you see your career developing?

  I see my career developing with IBM in a very technical role. Ideally one day I would like to become a technical expert for one or more of IBM’s products. To be right at the forefront of its development and to define where it’s going in the future and how it will fit in the market place.

• How does IBM support your career?

  IBM are very good at supporting careers. For example, we’re encouraged to have a career mentor. I have one here at Hursley, who I meet with once a month. He’s another contact as well as my manager to discuss my goals with and help me in achieving those goals.

• What do you get involved in outside your day to day job?

  Outside my day to day job, we are very much encouraged to get involved in what we call ‘Giveback’. These are community involvement and different projects that go on within and out with Hursley. Early this year I helped out at an event we call Blue Fusion, where we invite local school children into IBM and they have lots of activities they can do to enthuse them about science and technology.

• What is the best part of the IBM culture?

  I think the best part of the IBM life and culture is that there is an open community feel. You feel able to contact anybody throughout the site, even worldwide. That willingness to help each other and passion for what we are doing that makes it such a brilliant place to work.

• Why do you want to stay with IBM?

  The reason I stay with IBM is that I couldn’t think of anywhere better to work. Here at the Hursley Software Development Labs, we’re on a 100 acre estate, we’ve got everything we could possibly want. We’ve got the club house, the sports facilities, a really good social network – especially with new graduates and graduates from the past few years. I’ve got the education and the support that I need, and I know I have good career prospects here. I know that I’m supported in whatever I want to do, so I can’t really think of anywhere else I could do that and be as happy as I am right now.