UX Designer Review
at IBM
Degree Apprenticeship
Graphic Design
Hursley
Review Submitted: February 2023
Overall Rating
4.4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
My role at my company involves working in Design on projects. As a UX designer, I collaborate with other designers, visual designers, project managers and developers. On a day-to-day I create sketches, wireframes, ideate on ideas and use Design Thinking methodologies in order to create an outcome that meets the user's needs.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I have been on the programme for one and a half years now and I thoroughly enjoy it. Having the flexibility to work from home but also experience working in the studio a few days a week has been beneficial.I enjoy working with other designers in my role and I enjoy meeting other apprentices when I go to university.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Over the time I have been working at IBM, I have developed many existing skills I had such as teamwork, communication and other soft skills. I have also developed many new skills such as learning new software, prototyping and implementing design systems. I have been able to develop these by asking questions and having opportunities to apply the knowledge.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
There is a clear structure to the university/ apprenticeship side and this links well together with my day job. My university time is split into sprints with time in between to work on assignments. This structure helps with keeping on top of off the job hours and balancing project commitments. Organisation from both sides is needed to keep things running smoothly.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
When working on university assignments, or having general queries, my employer is extremely helpful and will try their best to answer any questions I have. If they personally can't answer it, they guide me to other resources or to someone who is more experienced in that field. The support is good.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
When working towards my degree, I receive support from my lecturers, whether this is in class when we go to university for sprints or when I email them with a question. Most of my lecturers are helpful and supportive when help is needed but sometimes the support is not great from all of them.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Learning the theory at university, through my training provider, helps me to perform my role better because I have that solid foundation of knowledge which can then be applied in my day job. This means I can get straight into the application which is more beneficial at work. The degree is helping me to perform my role better.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
There are many extra-curricular activities to get involved in at work and these include networking events as well as social events. When you join as an apprentice, you're part of Foundation which means you can network with other apprentices, graduates and interns. There are also different communities and societies such as Foudnation Wellbeing, the Apprentice Community, Sports community etc.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend IBM to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend IBM to a friend because there are so many opportunities for growth and career progression. Everyone you work with is very friendly and open to you learning from them. There are so many experienced employees working around you, with whom you can gain knowledge and the work-life balance is also good.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to IBM?
I would advise others who want to apply to IBM, to ensure they do background research into the company. This could include, keeping up with the relevant news, reading quarterly newsletters and looking into the background of the company. Make sure you also know what IBM stands for! Most of all just be yourself in any interviews because they look for people who fit the company and vice versa.
