Orientation day will be the beginning of your great experience at IBM and possibly the start of friendships and relationships we are sure will last a lifetime. It is a relaxed day where you will get to know many of your colleagues and fellow interns.
Although your intern program can start at any point in the year, the summer is when the bulk of our interns start due to school schedules. Our peak orientation days are from Mid-May through Mid-June. During this time, we have a group lunch after each Monday’s orientation so the students can get to know each other early on in their internship.
Most orientations for Research Interns will be held at the Yorktown site unless otherwise notified.
There are a few documents that you will need to bring with you on your first day in order to complete the paperwork handed out during orientation:
- Documentation to verify identity and employment eligibility
Two emergency contacts (name, address and phone number for each)
Your local and permanent address and phone number (if available)
A light breakfast with coffee, tea, water and juice will be provided. Orientation is expected to end around 12:30 p.m. on Peak orientation days depending on the number of attendees and will be followed by a group lunch as previously mentioned.
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Overview of IBM and the Intern Co-op Program
- Environmental, safety and security Presentations
Completion of all necessary paperwork
Obtain badge
Yorktown interns should plan on meeting with their manager or mentor following the group lunch. Hawthorne interns should be on the shuttle departing at 2 PM sharp from the Yorktown front lobby area to the Hawthorne facility, and your manager or mentor should have contacted you to discuss arrangements to meet you in the Hawthorne Lobby by 2:30 PM. If your manager or mentor has not contacted you to discuss who will be meeting you, where, and what time, please get in touch with your manager one week prior to your start date to confirm such arrangements.
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Your First Week
Below is a day-by-day list of tasks that will help you during your first week at IBM.
There are four main players in your IBM experience: your manager, mentor, co-op/intern recruiter, and of course, YOU. We encourage you to take responsibility for your own development while you are here. Ask questions, share your opinions. Your manager, mentor and co-op/intern recruiter are here to help you.
Monday
- Attend orientation at Yorktown
If you are starting during a peak period, orientation will last until approximately 12:30 p.m. You will be able to meet with your manager and mentor once orientation is over.
If you arrive during a non-peak period, you will be able to meet with your manager around 11 a.m. You will be able to accomplish some of the tasks listed under Tuesday.
- Meet with your manager.
Obtain IBM badge from your security office if you have not already done so.
Gain an understanding of how your organization contributes to the success of both your division, and IBM.
Obtain Lotus Notes and VM login and password information from your manager.
Review activities for which you will be responsible for throughout your internship.
Define manager's expectations of you.
If not already communicated, discuss who your mentor will be.
Tour your work facility.
New hires coming directly from abroad will need to take their drug-screen (Make sure you send the receipt to your recruiter) and apply for a U.S. Social Security number.
If necessary, set up a bank account either at a local bank, or through the IBM Credit Union.
Get a car, if necessary.
Wednesday
- Check BluePages employee directory to ensure your account is active; Update your account if necessary
Note: failure to update BluePages will delay your 1st paycheck
Request intranet password and update your account.
Thursday
- Work hard
LEARN A LOT & HAVE FUN!
Friday
- Do eTotals before 12 noon so that you can receive your 1st paycheck the following Friday. Delivery of paychecks varies by location. Yorktown and Hawthorne interns should expect to receive their paychecks at the address you provided on your personal data information sheet you completed during orientation.
In the event that you do not receive a paycheck weekly, call the Employee Service Center direct at. 1-800-796-9876 (for active and inactive employees – including coops/interns), M – F, 8 AM – 12 Noon and 2 PM - 8 PM EST, by clicking here, or sending an email to pay@us.ibm.com