Company: IBM
Date: 2008-12-28
Overall rating: 3/5
Employment status: former

In IBM, you are on your own.
Pros: IBM has a great reputation. The company has a long and deep history in the computing hardware and software industry.  Working at IBM as an engineer, you have the opportunity to work with a lot of smart and talented people and you have access to the latest technologies and information. Company also has a good benefits package and average or above salaries.
Cons: Being the size that it is, political and networking skills are as important ( perhaps even more important ) than technological skills. Do not depend on management to outline a career path, you are on your own. Low-level managers are generally too busy answering to their managers to help employees. Also remember that profit is number one at IBM. This company is about making a dollar first and how to use technology and current trends in the pursuit of that goal. IBM is first and foremost a business. This may be a good company for an MBA, not necessarily for an engineer. 

Specifically as a staff software engineer, some of the downsides are long hours, little input to the decision making process and little consideration for work/life balance. Remember, it's a privilege to work at IBM !
( OK, yes, I'm a little bitter. )