Frequently Asked Questions for IBM Interns in the United States

Come start like an IBMer.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about IBM internships in the United States. From relocation support and sick leave to course credit, employment verification, internship duration, and full-time opportunities, this guide provides key information to help you navigate your IBM internship with confidence.

Compensation & Benefits Questions for Interns in the United States

Who is eligible for IBM Benefits in the United States?
Entry-Level Full-time regular hires are eligible for IBM’s Benefit package on day 1 of employment. Interns, contractors, and supplemental employees are not eligible for IBM benefits.

Does IBM provide vacation days to interns in the United States?
No, interns do not receive paid vacation but do have paid sick leave. If you need to take unpaid vacation during your internship, please speak directly with your intern manager.
 

Relocation Questions for Interns in the United States

How is relocation determined and paid for intern hires in the United States?
Each IBM business unit determines if relocation is allocated and defines the eligibility criteria. Not all IBM businesses offer relocation to interns and some do only for hires moving/relocated at least a certain number of miles. If allocated, please check your offer letter for the details of the relocation provided.

General/Other Questions for Interns in the United States

How long are IBM Summer Internships in the United States?
IBM internships last 12 weeks; they can occur during the summer months while students are on summer break. Internships are 40 hours/week during normal business hours.

Can IBM internships in the United States be counted towards course/class credit?
Yes, if you are enrolled in a school in the United States that offers course credit for an internship/co-op, please work to understand the requirements from your school and engage your IBM internship manager.

Does IBM offer unpaid internships in the United States?
No. IBM pays all employees for work completed towards IBM’s mission.

Does IBM offer full-time positions to interns in the United States?
Yes, IBM invests in its interns with the hope of converting as many of its interns as possible into full-time roles. With this said, the availability to convert to a full-time role will depend on many factors, including the business’ approved hiring demand/affordability and when you are available for a full-time role. More information will come on the conversion process once onboard for your internship, but if you are interested in converting, make sure to share this interest with your manager once you are working at IBM.

I have not received any communication about my internship from IBM. What should I do?
Please check that you have your correct email in your candidate portal. Please update it if not. Once you apply to a role, you can login to your profile to view the status of your application at anytime.  On the back end, our recruiters are working through applications as quickly as they can. If you are moving on in the application process, a recruiter will reach out to you directly to let you know what the next steps are.

I need a CPT letter for my school, how can I get one?
Please fill out this form and the team will get back to you via Welcome2IBM@ibm.com with the letter. 

I need employment verification for an apartment rental, loan, or other necessary reasons. How can I get one?
Please fill out this form and the team will get back to you via Welcome2IBM@ibm.com with the verification. 

What is the work culture and social environment like at IBM?
IBM is an environment where you can bring your whole self to work. IBM has historically and proudly been a company that values inclusion and community. We know that we all do our best work when we come together and create!

What’s the next step in my application process?
After you apply, if you are moving to the next step in the application process, you will receive an assessment if there is an assessment tagged to the requisition, if not a recruiter will reach out on next steps if selected to move forward. What your next step is depends on what role you are applying to and how far along you are in the process. If a recruiter gets in contact with you, they will always make it very clear about what the next steps and expectations are. Do not be afraid to ask if you are unsure!

Where do I go to apply for a certain job?
Please check our IBM Careers page to search all open roles. It’s highly encouraged to apply to multiple positions as long as you meet the basic qualifications. 

How long does the whole process take from applying to when I could expect to receive an offer?
Unfortunately, this depends on a lot of different factors (i.e. which role you apply to, how many interviews are required, how fast the applicant responds, the amount of applications that our recruiters receive, etc.) Just know that our recruiters are working as quickly as they can to get through applications!

What personal development and learning opportunities does IBM offer?
IBM has online learning academies and classes for almost anything that you could think of! In fact, IBMers are encouraged to do 40 hours of learning every year. We call it Think40! This learning can be related to your role or just based on something that you find interesting and want to know more about. We even give IBMers virtual badges for completing certain leanings. 

How can I impress hiring managers in interviews so that they trust my capabilities?
You can read about the required and preferred skill qualifications on any job posting you click on, so you want to make sure that your skills align with the postings that you are applying for. Apart from just having the skills, hiring managers are really looking for what makes you stand out against other applicants and if you would be a successful fit with the culture. Do research on the company’s values and mission, as well as on how the company works. Try to relate your own values, mission, and ways of working back to the company’s, and build that into how you present yourself during the interview.

What should one do to be considered for job opportunity at IBM? What is required for being considered at IBM? Any particular resource that you would suggest where I should apply so as to be considered?
All requirements are listed in each job description. Depending on the job, location and specifics can vary. For Technical skill positions, use sites such as: Leetcode.com, Pramp.com, Hackerank.com and take as many practice tests that you can. This will help prepare you for the technical coding assessment as well as technical interview process.

How do I connect with an IBMer in the area that I am interested in joining?
IBMers are passionate about what they do, and are excited to share with others! Most IBMers are open to connecting with others over LinkedIn to share their experiences. Try utilizing LinkedIn to identify professionals within companies and industries that you are interesting in entering to further explore career paths. LinkedIn also has a “Career Advice” feature that is designed to connect users seeking advice on a career path, insight into switching industries and to share best practices for projects currently being worked on.

What kind of advice do you have to help students demonstrate leadership skills for someone that just started an entry-level job?
Take advantage of opportunities to help out and get involved in any way possible. If someone is looking for help or a volunteer on a project, try to volunteer. Even if it may be out of your comfort zone, doing this will allow you to gain more skills, broaden your network, and expose you to other areas of the business and new learning opportunities. This will help you to stand out as a leader and someone who is willing to take on new challenges!

Which technology is the most useful to learn right now?
This will likely depend on the specific role. Any required experience or technological skills will be outlined in the job descriptions listed on our career site. Do some research tech that interests you and go with your passion. Being able to adapt to new technologies and learn quickly are both skills that we look for, as it means you can upskill quickly and hit the ground running.

When does recruiting start for intern and full-time positions?
In the US intern and full time entry level hiring takes place from August to November each year.  Keep an eye out on our careers pages for job requisitions. You can stay connected with IBM via our Career Blog, Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram.

What type of research is IBM interested in conducting? In terms of different domains, research methodologies etc.
IBM Research is one of the world’s largest and most influential research labs with 3,000 researchers and 23 labs located across six continents. Research is being done in the areas of AI, blockchain and quantum computing, just to name a few. You can learn more about IBM Research here: http://research.ibm.com

Were you able to explore different interests, both in technology and another topic like economics and finance, while at work/during the internship?
We encourage our interns and even regular hires to take advantage of the vast opportunities available at IBM. There are many opportunities to meet and network with IBMers across the business, and even potentially take on stretch projects. IBM is truly a company that lives at the intersection of technology and business and we encourage everyone to pursue their interests across the spectrum.

Is it possible to speak to an IBMer prior to me sending my information?
Typically we need you to apply to one of the roles first, that is required in order for us to legally consider you for any opportunities at IBM. Our recruitment teams evaluate many candidates and should you meet the qualifications, a recruiter will reach out to you directly.

Does IBM provide Visa Sponsorship for Foreign National students? I’m on a student Visa, will IBM provide me sponsorship?
At IBM, all of our roles have different requirements. We have some roles that provide sponsorship while others cannot. The best thing to do is to review the individual job postings in depth as all residency requirements are spelled out usually at the bottom of the job posting.

Is IBM inclusive?
IBM is committed to creating a welcoming environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that champions inclusivity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, mental or physical disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM makes reasonable accommodations available where appropriate to enable employees with disabilities participate in the recruiting process and perform their jobs.

Does IBM offer remote work?
At IBM, we’re committed to flexible workplace policies and comprehensive work-life programs to help you achieve balance while fostering success. You’ll have an array of benefits and programs available to you, such as time off, flex time, parenting benefits and many more. We recommend checking out the job descriptions or contacting your local recruitment team in the country you are applying for more information.  

Is IBM using AI in hiring process?
IBM processes your personal information using tools developed by IBM and third parties. Where these processing activities involve artificial intelligence (“AI”) capabilities, supplemental notice will be provided. IBM Talent Acquisition uses AI technology for the purpose of completing IBM pre-employment verification checks and for matching candidates to appropriate job offers. The AI technology will have access to the data that you upload to our system and will use that data for the above mentioned purposes, according to IBM policies and practices. AI will not be used to substantially assist or replace any employment decisions. 

How can I join your Talent Network?
Your can join our Talent Network by visiting our talent network page and filling out the required data. Once you submit your information, you will start receiving newsletters that will keep you up to date with career opportunities in IBM.

What are the careers areas in IBM?
There are 13 career areas in IBM, you can find more about them in the page Career areas or here:

AI and watsonx
Join us as an AI and watsonx™ expert and work on exciting projects, co‑creating the future of enterprise AI. Shape how organizations build, govern, and scale AI across hybrid cloud landscapes.
Cloud
Help businesses accelerate their multicloud journey by combining Red Hat’s flexible, hybrid cloud portfolio with our technology and open ecosystem of strategic partners. 
Consulting
Help businesses accelerate their hybrid multicloud and AI transformation by combining Red Hat’s flexible hybrid cloud portfolio with our technology and open ecosystem of strategic partners.
Data and Analytics
Help transform our clients’ data into tangible business value by analyzing information, communicating outcomes, and building trusted data foundations that enable responsible AI adoption across hybrid cloud environments. 
Design & UX
Play a role in designing IBM®’s most foundational products and webpages by teaming up with designers and developers to combine art, technology, and thoughtfully integrated AI capabilities. 
Enterprise Operations
From Marketing to HR, from Finance to Procurement: build your career by helping thousands of IBMers. Support the adoption of AI driven tools that make our internal operations smarter and more efficient.
Infrastructure & Technology
Come work with a wide range of technologies and skills: from networking and systems administration to automation and the integration of AI. Help clients build resilient hybrid cloud infrastructure that powers their most critical workloads.
Product Management
Drive innovation at IBM by shaping products that transform industries worldwide. Collaborate with cross functional teams to deliver AI powered solutions built for hybrid cloud environments and designed to meet the evolving needs of our clients.
Project Management
Coordinate technical projects in an agile way and serve as a guide for clients, partners, and IBMers who are actioning sprints and taking projects to the finish line. Lead initiatives that integrate AI, automation, and hybrid cloud technologies into client solutions.
Research
With the world as your laboratory, you’ll push the boundaries of science, technology, and business to make the world work better. Explore breakthroughs in AI, hybrid cloud, quantum, and emerging technologies that shape the future.
Sales
As a technical expert, you’ll use your business insight to build and strengthen client relationships, bring together hardware and software solutions to deliver real value, and help prepare clients for successful hybrid cloud and AI adoption. 
Security
On this team of problem‑solvers, you’ll monitor, hack, and use your forensic brain to catch risks before anyone else to protecting a cloud‑driven world in times of uncertainty. Help secure hybrid cloud environments and safeguard AI systems.
Software Engineering
Use your agile coding skills alongside open source and IBM® cloud computing to work on impactful projects. Build software that leverages automation, AI, and hybrid cloud architectures to take on global challenges.