Career at IBM?

DinaElla

Folks, anyone give any advice of what its like working for IBM in the software area? I have been offered a role but know very little about working environment and life at IBM.

SoupyNorman

DinaElla wrote: »

Folks, anyone give any advice of what its like working for IBM in the software area? I have been offered a role but know very little about working environment and life at IBM.

All I know is that I spent the last 3days in the induction programme of my new job sitting beside someone who had nothing but bad words to say about IBM. She was in a technical role I think.

jaggiebunnet

all depends on the locale of the office too - ibm has 3 i think software offices in ireland - which one is the role offered in?

AARRRGH

I don't know what they're like to work for, but the quality of their products is terrible! That makes me think it must be a fairly relaxed work environment, at least in the QA department.

DinaElla

Its in the Dublin (Blanch) office and at interview stage all seemed good but I have had a bad experiance recently with a large company and want to make sure I make a good move this time - I hate job hopping and tend to like to work for companies a long time. You read so much bad stuff about working at IBM on the web but then they have a large staff base so not eveyone is going to be happy - would just be good to know if they treat their people well.

cono121

i worked on their deskside support (as a student) in pembroke road for the summer, it was boring as fcuk, but thats because i was training, plus iam young, and first commuting experience ever, and last!!!! But the people we're really nice to work with, and the people for also very pleasant, really nice enviournment to work in...

I also had 2 week work experience in Blanche, working in different areas... never met anyone I didn't like, very friendly all-round, the whole area obviously not attactive but they told me it has vey good facilites for the emloyees...

i know iam a student, probably wudn't 100% apply to you, but taught id share my exp with ye

i hope this helps

ixoy

I know three people working in development roles within IBM, across different branches. One left to go back to college, but the other two are still there and seem to enjoy their work. It seems you can get good exposure to say Java technologies (if that's the area you're in) or C++ (if you're in the high performance group). The pay is merely okay and the career progression doesn't appear to be outstanding but if work interest is an important factor, and what seems to be valuable experience, then it sounds pretty decent.

How Strange

I know a couple of people working for IBM and from what I've heard them say it seems that pay is mediocore but promotional prospects are good. It's more like a civil service bureacracy than a private company so the managers (my friends' ones at least) treat them very well and there's a big emphasis on dignity and respect in the workplace.

But then again, you could meet someone who'll say the total opposite of all that so I suppose it's really down to individual perception.

damnyanks

Working with a large company you are generally treated like crap when required. There is no personal consideration when the company moves in a certain direction.

With that in mind I'd want a place that offers me good pay and opportunities. IBM dont offer this. Therefore I think they are ****.

jaggiebunnet

From what I can see on the subject IBM pay is reasonably good and on a par with most large companies - and better than most small companies.

Having worked for both big and small companies there are different benefits to both. If you want to have a career and not just a job as you would have at most small companies then IBM will allow you that. If you want the craic working in a small company and team brings then you might well not get that at IBM.

Obviously everyone is different and departments/sites are different too within a large organisation such as IBM and so it is silly to say that this is how it is everywhere.

To say they are **** :rolleyes: and don't offer you good pay and opportunities may say more about you than the company.

hussey

I started my career at IBM in Santry (which is now in blanch) I found it easily the most enjoyable experience of my career, the people were extremely friendly and pretty intelligent, there was lots of room for various interests (e.g. a colleague went working on open source projects, another did a part time PHD).

Yeah people complain, but honestly it was the best career move I made. as now I get highly paid thanks to my experience of websphere :pac::pac:

jaggiebunnet

hussey wrote: »

I started my career at IBM in Santry (which is now in blanch) I found it easily the most enjoyable experience of my career, the people were extremely friendly and pretty intelligent, there was lots of room for various interests (e.g. a colleague went working on open source projects, another did a part time PHD).

Yeah people complain, but honestly it was the best career move I made. as now I get highly paid thanks to my experience of websphere :pac::pac:

websphere eh - you still an ibm'er? Good to build up websphere contacts