On my first day at IBM, we had orientation and went through some of the amazing things that IBM as a company had accomplished over the last 100+ years. I learned we used to manufacture cheese slicing machines and clocks and we invented the punch cards and UPC codes. Despite those amazing accomplishments, nothing stood out more than the constant drive to think - think in new ways in order to invent new solutions to help change the world. Lofty goal but in the words of our found Thomas J Watson, “All the problems of the world could be settled easily, if people were only willing to think.”
I was sold. This message resonated with me framing the duration of the day and thus far, my career at IBM. It was clear the emphasis on diversity of thought, and the development of new ideas was paramount to the company's success. As the day progressed, I was sure I made the right decision joining IBM. Our facilitator then segued into more current events the company's mission and strategy in the present day.
One of the topics focused on our corporate outreach arm and our Corporate Service Corps (CSC) volunteer projects. I learned that every year, IBMers from around the world come together to work on projects that directly impact the local community to help address a problem facing local stakeholders. I learned some of the projects help create better access to health care for women in rural villages in Peru, tackle the problem of environmental degradation in the Brazilian rainforest, or work with local schools across Asia and Africa to create better resources for education.
I knew at that moment that I wanted to be a part of this program and I wanted to work on a project that helps to create sustainable change. "What were the requirements?" I asked since in all honesty, I had 1 day under my belt and I knew I needed a little more experience first. The response was that I needed to be with IBM for at least 2 years, be a certain employee level, and get ranked highly on my performance reviews. It was that day that I became determined to work towards getting on a project. I set a reminder for my calendar for 2 years out to remind me to apply and I knew in the back of my head I needed to be ready.
Fast forward 3 years to now after the application process, acceptance, project selection, and 4 months of pre-work. I am beyond excited/humbled/overjoyed to be going to Gurgaon, India with 15 of my fellow IBMers for 5 weeks. My flights are booked, my business visa/passport are in-hand and my bags are no where close to packed but I am going into it with no expectations and determined to give it my all. I leave February 28th and I am very happy for the project and the team I will be working with (stay tuned for my next post!)
Come what may
Robert