Product Manager Review
at IBM
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology, Management Consulting, Project Management
Manchester
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
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
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
3.8/5
-
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
I work on digital product and transformation projects with large client organisations, supporting the delivery of complex digital solutions. Whilst my core foundation remains business analysis, over the course of the apprenticeship I have progressed into senior and lead business analyst responsibilities and, more recently, into a project management role with an automotive client's data and analytics product team.
On a day‑to‑day basis, I work closely with client stakeholders to understand business objectives, user needs and operational constraints, translating these into clear requirements and delivery plans. I collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including developers, data engineers, designers, testers, product managers and business stakeholders to shape solutions that balance business value, customer experience and technical feasibility. I also support delivery throughout the full software development lifecycle, managing change, prioritisation, risks and dependencies to ensure outcomes are delivered as intended.
Alongside delivery, I spend time coaching and mentoring junior and graduate‑level business analysts, supporting their development, reviewing outputs and helping them build confidence in client‑facing environments. I have also increasingly been involved in product management activities, working directly with client product teams on discovery, roadmap planning and iterative delivery.
On a day‑to‑day basis, I work closely with client stakeholders to understand business objectives, user needs and operational constraints, translating these into clear requirements and delivery plans. I collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including developers, data engineers, designers, testers, product managers and business stakeholders to shape solutions that balance business value, customer experience and technical feasibility. I also support delivery throughout the full software development lifecycle, managing change, prioritisation, risks and dependencies to ensure outcomes are delivered as intended.
Alongside delivery, I spend time coaching and mentoring junior and graduate‑level business analysts, supporting their development, reviewing outputs and helping them build confidence in client‑facing environments. I have also increasingly been involved in product management activities, working directly with client product teams on discovery, roadmap planning and iterative delivery.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I continue to thoroughly enjoy the programme as I approach its final year. The apprenticeship has provided a strong blend of academic learning, practical application and personal development, all within a supportive environment.
One of the strongest aspects has been the university cohort. My classmates represent a wide range of industries, job roles, experience levels, locations and backgrounds, which has made discussions richer and broadened my perspective significantly. Over the course of the programme, I have built genuine friendships with people I plan to stay in touch with beyond graduation, and I always look forward to the time spent together on campus.
The programme has enabled me to apply learning directly into my role, which has been especially valuable as my responsibilities have increased. While balancing final‑year assignments alongside a demanding client role requires discipline and clear communication, the flexibility and support offered by IBM and MMU have helped me maintain a healthy balance overall.
One of the strongest aspects has been the university cohort. My classmates represent a wide range of industries, job roles, experience levels, locations and backgrounds, which has made discussions richer and broadened my perspective significantly. Over the course of the programme, I have built genuine friendships with people I plan to stay in touch with beyond graduation, and I always look forward to the time spent together on campus.
The programme has enabled me to apply learning directly into my role, which has been especially valuable as my responsibilities have increased. While balancing final‑year assignments alongside a demanding client role requires discipline and clear communication, the flexibility and support offered by IBM and MMU have helped me maintain a healthy balance overall.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
The apprenticeship has significantly accelerated my skills development across technical, leadership and behavioural areas. Over the past year in particular, I have developed strongly in leadership and people management by leading a small team of business analysts with varying experience levels, including graduate‑level colleagues, through coaching, mentoring and structured feedback.
I have also expanded into product management and project management disciplines, gaining hands‑on experience working closely with client product teams and owning delivery responsibilities. This has strengthened my commercial awareness, decision‑making and ability to manage complexity and ambiguity.
A key area of development has been my growing proficiency with generative AI technologies. I have actively explored how AI can be used responsibly and compliantly to improve efficiency and effectiveness across both university and client work. As part of this, I have shared knowledge and best practice with colleagues at IBM and peers on my university course, helping others to upskill in this area. IBM’s strong culture of learning, experimentation and mentoring has been instrumental in this development.
I have also expanded into product management and project management disciplines, gaining hands‑on experience working closely with client product teams and owning delivery responsibilities. This has strengthened my commercial awareness, decision‑making and ability to manage complexity and ambiguity.
A key area of development has been my growing proficiency with generative AI technologies. I have actively explored how AI can be used responsibly and compliantly to improve efficiency and effectiveness across both university and client work. As part of this, I have shared knowledge and best practice with colleagues at IBM and peers on my university course, helping others to upskill in this area. IBM’s strong culture of learning, experimentation and mentoring has been instrumental in this development.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The programme is well structured overall, particularly in how academic content aligns with real‑world application. In the final year especially, the emphasis on reflection, leadership and applied learning has felt very relevant to my evolving role.
The 20% off‑the‑job learning model continues to be key in balancing study alongside work, and the hybrid delivery model works well. Timetables are generally provided with sufficient notice to plan around client commitments, though earlier visibility would further help with scheduling leave and external development activities and on occasion, I have experienced late changes which have occurred.
Strong communication with both client and IBM leadership is essential to manage expectations around delivery and academic commitments, and when this is done proactively, the balance works very effectively.
The 20% off‑the‑job learning model continues to be key in balancing study alongside work, and the hybrid delivery model works well. Timetables are generally provided with sufficient notice to plan around client commitments, though earlier visibility would further help with scheduling leave and external development activities and on occasion, I have experienced late changes which have occurred.
Strong communication with both client and IBM leadership is essential to manage expectations around delivery and academic commitments, and when this is done proactively, the balance works very effectively.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
I receive a high level of support from IBM. As my responsibilities have increased, this support has evolved into trust, autonomy and access to mentoring, which has been crucial for my development.
IBM actively encourages apprentices to progress, explore new roles and build skills in emerging technologies. I have benefited from formal training, informal mentoring and a strong early professional network. I have also had the opportunity to give back by mentoring apprentices on other programmes, including the Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship and the Junior Management Consultant Apprenticeship, which has been extremely rewarding.
IBM actively encourages apprentices to progress, explore new roles and build skills in emerging technologies. I have benefited from formal training, informal mentoring and a strong early professional network. I have also had the opportunity to give back by mentoring apprentices on other programmes, including the Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship and the Junior Management Consultant Apprenticeship, which has been extremely rewarding.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
MMU has continued to be supportive throughout the programme. The apprenticeship coaching model works well, providing a clear point of contact who understands both the academic and workplace components of the apprenticeship. This has been particularly helpful for my final assignment – the Synoptic Business Project, where my MMU supervisor is very helpful and understands my workplace context very well, as they have worked with others from IBM.
Module tutors bring strong industry experience, which helps ground theoretical concepts in practical examples. Support around assignments, feedback and contextualising learning to individual roles has been especially helpful during the final stages of the degree.
Module tutors bring strong industry experience, which helps ground theoretical concepts in practical examples. Support around assignments, feedback and contextualising learning to individual roles has been especially helpful during the final stages of the degree.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The qualification has directly supported my progression and performance at work. The ability to apply theory immediately to live projects has improved the way I approach problem‑solving, stakeholder management and delivery.
Even modules that are less directly aligned to my current role have provided valuable perspective when considering longer‑term career development, leadership responsibilities and strategic decision‑making.
Even modules that are less directly aligned to my current role have provided valuable perspective when considering longer‑term career development, leadership responsibilities and strategic decision‑making.
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 is a strong social and community culture at IBM. I regularly take part in casual 5‑a‑side football, padel, mini‑golf and other social activities with colleagues in Manchester (and other locations when occasionally travelling for work), which has helped build friendships across teams and roles.
When on campus, my university cohort consistently organises social activities alongside teaching weeks, which has been a highlight of the programme and something I will miss after graduation. There are also many opportunities for volunteering, professional networking and representing both IBM and MMU at careers events, which I have found very fulfilling.
When on campus, my university cohort consistently organises social activities alongside teaching weeks, which has been a highlight of the programme and something I will miss after graduation. There are also many opportunities for volunteering, professional networking and representing both IBM and MMU at careers events, which I have found very fulfilling.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend IBM to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would strongly recommend IBM to a friend. The apprenticeship route at IBM offers genuine responsibility, progression and investment in personal development. I have had the opportunity to work on exciting, impactful projects while being supported to grow into senior and leadership roles.
IBM provides an environment where apprentices are trusted, encouraged to experiment with emerging technologies, and supported with mentoring and training. Progression is based on capability and performance rather than job title, which has allowed me to advance rapidly.
IBM provides an environment where apprentices are trusted, encouraged to experiment with emerging technologies, and supported with mentoring and training. Progression is based on capability and performance rather than job title, which has allowed me to advance rapidly.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to IBM?
I would encourage prospective applicants to attend careers fairs and apprenticeship open events wherever possible. Speaking directly to current or former apprentices and employers provides valuable insight into what the roles and pathway options are really like in practice.
Be open‑minded about where an apprenticeship can take you – the variety of roles, industries and progression opportunities available through this route is far broader than many people realise. Simply giving something a try teaches you so much. Finally, strong communication, curiosity and a willingness to learn will take you a long way.
Be open‑minded about where an apprenticeship can take you – the variety of roles, industries and progression opportunities available through this route is far broader than many people realise. Simply giving something a try teaches you so much. Finally, strong communication, curiosity and a willingness to learn will take you a long way.
