Storage Partner Technical Specialist Review

Item: Storage Partner Technical Specialist at IBM
Rating: 5
Author: Anonymous

at IBM

Degree Apprenticeship

Information Technology

Manchester

Review Submitted: April 2026

Overall Rating

5 /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!

5/5 - Overview of Role

5/5 - Skills Development

5/5 - Structure and Support

Overview of Role

Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

5/5

My role is as a Storage Technical Specialist. I work with clients and partners to help identify the correct storage solution to meet their data needs. My day-to-day activities involve delivering: client presentations on IBM's storage portfolio, product demonstrations, creating storage system configurations, gaining relevant industry certifications and supporting proposals or tenders.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

5/5

I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was well-structured and I had a great deal of support throughout the programme.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

5/5

I developed my soft skills throughout the programme, for example, there were structured modules within the organisation to help develop our client facing skills, including communication, active listening and organisation. I was also involved in extra-curricular activities such as being a co-lead for an early professional community where I developed my leadership and interpersonal skills. Furthermore, I have developed my technical skills both within my role and my degree course. I developed specialised technical knowledge within IBM's technology portfolio and general technical skills such as coding.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

5/5

Both the apprenticeship and the degree is very well-structured. I have known of key deadlines in advance and have had very clear communication throughout the course.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

5/5

There is plenty of support within the organisation. In particular, there is an area of the business dedicated to early professional development and support. I also have two managers, one who provides my day-to-day tasks and another who focuses on my personal development and offers pastoral care. Additionally, we are given mentors within our teams when we enter into the business. There is a strong culture for early professional support and colleagues within the business often find ways to proactively support our development too.

How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

5/5

The University of Exeter is a brilliant institution. My lecturers are very responsive and provide engaging and informative course material. My organisation is very supportive towards my learning and I have occasionally asked for additional time to complete course-related activities, which has always been welcomed.

How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

5/5

There have been significant overlaps in my university studies and my day-to-day role. I have found both help inform my activities. I have gained experience within my role which informs my course and course content which has improved my approach at work.

Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

5/5

There are many extra-curricular activities in our local offices. For example, we recently had a rock-climbing social and there is soon to be a bake-off! I have co-lead an early professional community which delivered cross-company educational events. Through my role as co-lead, I had the chance to network within and outside of my organisation.