IBM Alumni

Welcome to the IBM Alumni Network! Once an IBMer, always an IBMer… #IBMAlumni

Discover the latest episode of the Inspiring Voices Podcast, brought to you by IBM’s Executive Search and Integration team. Featuring Nicolette Freeman, Vice President of Aerospace and Defense for IBM Consulting, this episode covers a range of compelling topics: ✅ Giveback activities to the Veteran and Black communities ✅ Career journey from serving in the US military to transitioning into the corporate world ✅ Challenges faced while becoming a civilian and advice for others making similar career choices ✅ Adventurous spare time activities and how to balance them with a busy career Tune in to hear Nicolette’s inspiring story and gain valuable insights from her experiences 👉https://ibm.co/3yt61iW

Why would an experienced sales executive decide he wants to come back to work at IBM? Michael left his sales role at IBM in 2017 and joined one of the most renowned global consulting firms to gain experience in go-to-market strategy in an executive leader role. However, he soon realized that he valued IBM’s commitment to noble causes — like leading the global AI governance and ethics conversation and providing trusted innovation that matters for its clients’ and for the world. This made him want to come back to IBM. “Being an IBMer never left me. Some of the brightest and best people in the world work at IBM. We are dedicated to futureproofing and delighting customers. IBM is OUR home,” says Michael. Michael is now IBM’s Sales Leader for Hybrid Cloud and Artificial Intelligence. He sees IBM as the largest tech company in the world to specialize in enterprise. If you’re also interested in coming back to IBM, make sure you sign up for our Talent Network 👉 https://ibm.co/3A0ysFj #IBMAlumni #HybridCloud #TechSales

I’ran never thought he would find himself back at IBM, the company where his tech journey began. But life had other plans. “I'm I'ran, a software engineer who's passionate about technology and entrepreneurship. As a minority in tech, especially from one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the US, I faced unique challenges. But I didn't let that stop me. I used automation tools to stay ahead, and I even ventured into real estate, investing and educating others about the industry.” Right after graduating from university with a degree in Computer Science, I’ran began his journey at IBM in 2018 as a Software Engineer in Test for Watson Health. “But the onset of COVID-19 brought unexpected challenges. In June 2020, I had to leave IBM. Despite this setback, my real estate business provided a stable transition. Balancing a part-time help desk role and seasonal work, I used the time to upskill, get certifications, and build a strong online presence.” In December 2023, I’ran’s perseverance paid off. “I received an interview and soon an offer from IBM, my first employer. Returning felt like a blessing, with immense gratitude and support from my colleagues. Now, I call Raleigh home, working as a DevOps Support Engineer in the Software area. I’m deeply thankful for the journey, lessons learned, and unwavering support. As I step forward, I'm excited about the future and the opportunities ahead. Here’s to continuing the journey with renewed vigor and a heart full of gratitude!” Thank you for sharing your story with us I’ran - a great example of how resilience, perseverence and hard work can pay off. 💙 If you’re also interested in coming back to IBM, make sure you sign up for our Talent Network 👉 https://ibm.co/4c0IljQ #IBMAlumni #careerintech #softwareengineer

Did you know IBM offers free learning courses? Whether you're looking to get started in cybersecurity, explore your future in AI, or learn the fundamentals of cloud computing, IBM SkillsBuild helps you unlock your potential in this fast-evolving tech world. 🚀 Access the courses here: https://ibm.co/4bK9bwo #IBMSkillsBuild #AI #Cybersecurity #CloudComputing

Ever wondered how someone becomes a successful entrepreneur? Jane's story is a testament to the power of curiosity and determination. "I joined IBM as a Call Taker for the IBM Sales Department. Within seven months, I was promoted to Team Lead, and soon after, I took on the responsibility of managing the Customer Response Unit for three years.” This was just the beginning of Jane's remarkable journey. Her curiosity was piqued, and she was eager to learn more. “Curiosity drove me further. I approached the VP of Customer Service, expressing my desire to explore other departments." Jane faced many tests and challenges, but she persevered. "I learned everyone's roles and processes, and created training manuals where none existed." After her journey at IBM, Jane focused on her education, completing an MBA in Project Management and later a master's in human resources with a concentration in Organization Development. Today, Jane is a successful entrepreneur, managing a business in Honduras and leveraging her skills and knowledge to achieve her goals. "IBM significantly shaped my career, education, and where I am today as an entrepreneur. Currently, and among other ventures, I manage a business in my native Honduras as an International Airbnb/Vrbo Host and Real Estate Manager. Despite residing in Georgia, I handle aspects remotely and spend 30 days in Honduras annually, leveraging my dual citizenship for seamless operations.” Jane, thank you for sharing your story with us!

We'd like to hear from you!

IBM Alumni is a community of nearly 25,000 highly skilled professionals: former and present-day IBMers from around the world, across various backgrounds and seniority levels. Leverage the power of IBM Alumni to unlock future opportunities! 👩🏻🏫 Looking for a mentor in a particular area? 🎯 Seeking new business opportunities? 💼 Hunting for a new job? 💬 Interested in language exchange? 👨🏽💻 Are you a seasoned professional keen to share your expertise? Comment below, specifying exactly what you're looking for and what you can offer. Maybe your future mentor, mentee, business partner, employer, employee is just a comment away! Ready to return to IBM? Join our talent network to get updates about all things Alumni: https://ibm.co/4bkjlUl Together, we can make those vital connections that shape our future. 💙

Ever wondered about someone's career journey? Meet Anna, a software engineer who's taken a non-traditional path from medicine to tech to fashion and back to tech! “I’m Anna and at IBM, I've found a community that supports and empowers me to be me. 👩🏻💻 I joined IBM in 1996, followed by a long career in tech in various startups and in 2017, I entered the fashion industry — an ode to my lifelong hobby that I love, sewing! I later came back to IBM and joined its Tech Re-Entry Program, which is a program for professionals who have been away from the industry for some time. After about a year, I was offered a permanent position and now work on the Cloud infrastructure team. 🖥️ So what do I do? Envision a data center: after the servers are racked and hooked up to the power and network, that’s where I come in to help manage and monitor them. I am responsible for a service called the software defined power (SDP). Data centers have a max possible power consumption of so many megawatts, so SDP allocates electrical power when and where it is needed, allowing for more economical, efficient, and timely power usage. 🩵 I love my job and my team and the best part is I am seen and valued for my knowledge, skills, and being unapologetically me: a proud Vietnamese-American transgender woman, 🏳️⚧️ who loves computer science and math. 🏳️🌈 To all the LGBTQ+ job seekers out there, I want you to know that IBM is a place where you can thrive and be yourself. Research our policies, talk to our people, and see for yourself. Check out my blog in the comments, where my colleagues and I explain what you should look for in your job search for an LGBTQ friendly company.” #BeeYourself #LifeAtIBM #LGBTQ #DiversityAndInclusion #TechForAll #software #softwareengineer #softwareengineering

Looking for a workplace where you can be your authentic self? Discover the 4 tips to find an LGBTQ+ friendly company in our latest blog post, where three IBMers share their insights. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories, including Anna's journey as a rehire IBMer, coming soon! Click to read the blog: https://ibm.co/3VPVs2w #IBMAlumni #diversity #inclusion