I have a dilemma. Recently got an offer from IBM (data science role) for a 40% increase than what I’m currently at as an SC. I’m torn though, sure the money is great but I’m also thinking about the job AFTER IBM (assuming I take it). Are the exit opportunities good from IBM? Am I being stupid? Is the jump worth it?

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I think exits are more of what u do and not where u come from ? If you have the experience which is solid would the brand really matter that much? Not everyone from Deloitte or MBB ends up at FAANG or a hedge fund or investment banking or even tech in IB. Most end up joining startups from what I have seen

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All great points!

I am exIBMer and I can tell u one thing - everyone knows IBM no matter wherever u go. It will always be an asset to have IBM on ur resume. No matter what people tell u, IBM is an icon in the corporate American history.

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No one cares about fantasy prestige in tech, D1, lmao.

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Having come from IBM let me give you some words of caution-

When I was there, the analytics/ data science projects were few and far between. I sat on the bench for months at a time, and was constantly worried that I was going to get laid off because the work was so slow and there was like 25-30% of the practice on the bench at any given time. Projects we did get would be like 4-5 week sprints, followed by 2-3 months of bench time.

IBM is in a weird place right now. In terms of professional services, there are nowhere near as capable as Accenture is, or even the Big 4, when it comes to differentiated services. And on price, TCS and Cognizant blow them out of the water (including analytics work, and their big margin projects were SAP implementations, where all the big firms are playing now).


And when it comes to technology, they don’t even remotely compare to the Googles, Microsoft’s, or AWSs of the world. Hell their “Watson” brand is basically worthless now compared to any of the other AI brands out there (Cortana, Siri, Alexa, etc.). They were still showing YouTube videos of Watson winning jeopardy when I joined, and it was like 6 or 7 years old at that point.

The money may be better now, but you’ll be living in constant anxiety of layoffs, and you’ll spend a lot of time twiddling your thumbs. The firm was super bloated when I was there too, so everything moved at a glacier pace. If I was you I’d try to get a data science role at a FAANG/Microsoft/Salesforce etc rather than go to Big Blue. It’s only a matter of time before some PE firm buys them out and sells it off piece by piece anyway.

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I agree with you - very few data scientist roles are available (I'm in GBS Federal). I'm actually considering leaving IBM because I've been stuck doing development work for the last year

You are going at a SC level at IBM? Give it a shot and see how you like it as you will learn alot and can take those learnings to get another role. I left IBM at Sr level and don’t see myself going back however at consulting level and as a DS I would recommend to give it a shot as it’s not a bad career choice to take a role at IBM amid all the changes they are going through

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Hi...I am getting a role at band 8 .In a dilema since have similar role at level 7 in Accenture AI ...I am in a dileama what to expect from ibm since I am looking for long term ..how is ibm heading..since you were there at senior levels you had bettr perspectives..can you plz suggest

Won’t matter too much, IBM is very well known so I am sure you will get good exits. Also - if you’re not happy at D, what’s the point in suffering and wasting valuable years ?

likesmart

Anyone who has heard of Deloitte has heard of IBM. As a data scientist, IBM may hold more brand value than Deloitte, which wouldn't be the case for strategy consulting. As such, you might be better off, unless you want to exit data science.

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Try and talk to folks who are currently in Data Science at IBM!

Data Science is an in demand field and you can get great exits to Big Tech if you get to work at good projects during your time at IBM.

Alternative would be to try and get that big tech exit now if you already have a good resume.

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If you want a career in data science instead of being a PowerPoint artist, take it. That’s the switch I’m trying to make too

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Isn’t the point of having a “brand” name company on your resume so you can open doors for the things you want to do? By your logic you should only continue to work in “brand” name companies for the rest of your life

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Exactly what I was thinking. Some faulty logic right there considering…. OP is acting like they just took a fry cook job

Have worked in IBM for many years, worked and lead several data science projects, don't think it's good idea to stay right now due to lack of resources, data, label, good partner, most of good talents are leaving, especially from this year.

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In the current environment I'd try to turn that offer into a Deloitte counter unless you don't like it at D. You'll get better exit ops.

Maybe exception if it's a great team at IBM (e.g., Watson), but for the most part I just don't think it will be a better place to exit from, especially if you plan to move again soon.

I won’t suggest accepting retention bonus, it is a short term boost. Say after your current project ends in few months, you are forced to take “whatever” project you get just to keep the bonus. If you start comp conversation, regardless of the outcome, you will go through considerable amount of emotion stress. Just try out new options; you can always leave IBM for another bump if you don’t like it there.

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40% is a no brainer. Go and boomerang back in a year if you don’t like it

What's IBM GBS Enterprise Strategy like? What are typical projects and how long it takes from Senior Managing Consultant to the next level? And what is the next level? Lots of questions here, appreciate the answers :)

Don’t do it I left Ibm for Deloitte and was in data science you will be considered staff aug

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