Discussion
Hi guys,
I'm probably jumping the gun a bit here, but I'm due to graduate with a degree in computer science in June. I've applied for graduate schemes and have interviews/assesment centres with IBM, HP, Logica and Fujitu Services.
Anybody have any inside knowledge/worked with these companies? Any horror stories? Or Advice? What are they like to work for?
Cheers
I'm probably jumping the gun a bit here, but I'm due to graduate with a degree in computer science in June. I've applied for graduate schemes and have interviews/assesment centres with IBM, HP, Logica and Fujitu Services.
Anybody have any inside knowledge/worked with these companies? Any horror stories? Or Advice? What are they like to work for?
Cheers
I had assessment centres in 2006 for Logica and EDS (now HP) as I was originally looking to go down the grad scheme route.
Logica will usually ask you the question 'tell me about a time you saved a company money' - well worth thinking of a good answer as this catches a lot of people with no experience out. They'll make you do the usual team work exercises and English/numeric/logical reasoning tests. Apart from that they seem OK to work for, know a few people there who are happy enough (although they're based in Cardiff and have to work in Telford...). Their pay is crap too - at the time it was £21ish K to work in London as a grad!
Also had an assessment centre for EDS (now HP) back in 2006, again, they seemed OK although their assessment centre day is pretty long. Known for massive IT project failures. Again, pay wasn't great if I remember right.
I ended up not getting either of these positions, which in retrospect was a very good thing as it meant I got chucked in the deep end and now 3 years on have worked for a few companies doing Java/Java EE/Javascript development. Might be worth considering? Means more responsibility and a chance to prove yourself.
Logica will usually ask you the question 'tell me about a time you saved a company money' - well worth thinking of a good answer as this catches a lot of people with no experience out. They'll make you do the usual team work exercises and English/numeric/logical reasoning tests. Apart from that they seem OK to work for, know a few people there who are happy enough (although they're based in Cardiff and have to work in Telford...). Their pay is crap too - at the time it was £21ish K to work in London as a grad!
Also had an assessment centre for EDS (now HP) back in 2006, again, they seemed OK although their assessment centre day is pretty long. Known for massive IT project failures. Again, pay wasn't great if I remember right.
I ended up not getting either of these positions, which in retrospect was a very good thing as it meant I got chucked in the deep end and now 3 years on have worked for a few companies doing Java/Java EE/Javascript development. Might be worth considering? Means more responsibility and a chance to prove yourself.
I used to work for IBM. What it's like to work there depends on how accepting you are of being "blue-washed" - i.e. falling in with the corporate culture. I joined when IBM bought PwC Consulting and both parties struggled at first with the integration. I've since left but still work with a lot of IBM consultants who still complain a lot about the IBM internal processes and admin.
However, I don't think that's different across any of the big companies and may be easier to handle if you actually work in an IBM office rather than on client site the whole time.
Good luck with your applications.
However, I don't think that's different across any of the big companies and may be easier to handle if you actually work in an IBM office rather than on client site the whole time.
Good luck with your applications.
I got onto IBMs pre-uni scheme a few years back and hated it for various reasons. In hindsight though it made me realise I wasn't cut out for corporate life and haven't looked back since!
From my experience there the scheme got mixed reviews, some loved it, others hated it, really seemed to come down to luck of the draw as to which business area you were placed with and how much you were involved in the department. From what I gathered the graduate scheme was very similar.
So I'd say give it a go, pick what seems the best scheme for you, but try and keep your options open...
From my experience there the scheme got mixed reviews, some loved it, others hated it, really seemed to come down to luck of the draw as to which business area you were placed with and how much you were involved in the department. From what I gathered the graduate scheme was very similar.
So I'd say give it a go, pick what seems the best scheme for you, but try and keep your options open...
I can only tell you that hp eds guys are not very fond of the companies and they way they operate and treat staff from conversations with their helpdesk guys and some of their direct employed engineers.
I have no idea about fujitsu even though yet again work for them from time to time havent heard too much in the way of complaints from their helpdesk guys.
I have no idea about fujitsu even though yet again work for them from time to time havent heard too much in the way of complaints from their helpdesk guys.
As an ex IBMer, I still think IBM is an excellent place to start and get good basic training. After a few years you can then see how it goes and decide if you like it or fancy going elsewhere. I think it's still a very good company to have on your CV especially if you have gone through a graduate training scheme. Just be aware that some parts of IBM are quite differet to others, e.g. the labs vs global services, etc. Good luck.
James.
James.
Current Fujitsu-er here.
No real complaints, can't comment on graduate scheme.
Regardless of were you go, you get back what you put in. Show willing to go the extra mile.
My route into IT was after graduating I got a job with a small consultancy who were starting up. Worked hard, always said yes to extra projects. They paid me back by increasing responsibility, doubling salary in 12 months, training, free drink every thursday etc.
Doubt you'd get any of that with a big corporate
No real complaints, can't comment on graduate scheme.
Regardless of were you go, you get back what you put in. Show willing to go the extra mile.
My route into IT was after graduating I got a job with a small consultancy who were starting up. Worked hard, always said yes to extra projects. They paid me back by increasing responsibility, doubling salary in 12 months, training, free drink every thursday etc.
Doubt you'd get any of that with a big corporate
swerni said:
Tallbut Buxomly said:
Fittster said:
Why is Accenture missing from your list of companies to apply to?
I thought they got bought out by hp ???Edited by Tallbut Buxomly on Wednesday 27th January 19:55
jamesb300 said:
As an ex IBMer, I still think IBM is an excellent place to start and get good basic training. After a few years you can then see how it goes and decide if you like it or fancy going elsewhere. I think it's still a very good company to have on your CV especially if you have gone through a graduate training scheme. Just be aware that some parts of IBM are quite differet to others, e.g. the labs vs global services, etc. Good luck.
James.
Indeed, echo the comments about value on a CV and a good training ground.James.
Also echo that some parts are radically different to others, I have experienced this first hand having worked for both software group and global services.
Cmurder said:
youve got the dwp contract aswell it seems so ill be speaking to more of you guys if the deal gets outsourced to us again like it looks likk being
I've read this 5 times now and still can't work out if you are Fujitsu, DWP, HP or someone else!Hasn't officially been announced that Fujitsu are preferred bidder, but I believe HP/EDS have been told they lost it. Should mean we hit the figures this year therefore hopefully getting bonus payments...
a&o mate we were EDS GFS but a&o bought the GFS part of EDS, althought im contracted to atlas for the Dii project,complicated eh!
i do some work with DWP though.
your right about hp losing it but i believe we already knew the preferred bidders and negotiated to continue doing the work we were doing for HP/EDS which was basically everything hands on eg box swapping and IMAC's and server calls.
i do some work with DWP though.
your right about hp losing it but i believe we already knew the preferred bidders and negotiated to continue doing the work we were doing for HP/EDS which was basically everything hands on eg box swapping and IMAC's and server calls.
Edited by Cmurder on Wednesday 27th January 21:02
Edited by Cmurder on Wednesday 27th January 21:04
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