IBM Alumni

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

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

Interested in rejoining IBM in the US federal space? We’re hiring! Check out our jobs below, along with a story from an IBMer, John, who went from blue collar worker to Security Engineering Team Lead in the US federal space at IBM! ✔️ SAP DevSecOps Subject Matter Expert ➡️ https://ibm.co/4bZtI0L ✔️ Oracle Fusion Middleware/IIS Middleware Admin ➡️https://ibm.co/4cn8pGt ✔️ Cloud Services Architect ➡️ https://ibm.co/4ejfp8Z John’s story: “One thing I've definitely learned on my journey is to seize opportunities whenever they arise. When a chance presents itself, take it. My name is John and today I work as a Security Engineering Team Lead in IBM Consulting, but that's not how my story with IBM began. I previously worked as a blue collar worker at a paper mill that got shut down. While searching for a new job, I landed a role in the apprenticeship program and was given an opportunity to join the IBM Cybersecurity Apprenticeship program. Through this program, I was able to learn all about cybersecurity and the tools IBM uses. This experience led to a permanent role as a Junior Security Engineer. I learned a lot from several great mentors and colleagues who helped me develop into a strong engineer. I eventually left IBM to work as a Security Consultant at another company, aiming to broaden my scope of the security domain. This new role allowed me to expand my focus beyond just SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) to include VMDR, Cloud Security, SOAR, and more. During this time, I learned several valuable skills, including Python, SQL, scoping, and consulting skills. In August 2023, I returned to IBM, taking on a Senior Engineer position in the same role that I left as a Junior Engineer. I thoroughly enjoyed the team I previously worked with at IBM, and many of them are local, which is great being able to meet the team in-person. After a few months back, I was offered a position as Security Engineering Team Lead for a federal health care program that was being developed. I was welcomed back with open arms by several team members I had worked with before. This opportunity has allowed me to further my career, expand my knowledge and skill, and gain more exposure to security tools and leadership skills. As the old adage goes, ‘you get out what you put in.’ This has proven true for me. IBM has provided me with the tools for success, all I had to do was put my effort in and everything worked out.” #IBMAlumni

Meet Catalin, IBM’s Ecosystem Marketing Leader for the Middle East and Africa. After leaving IBM in 2015, he returned in 2017. Catalin highlights the amazing people, great career path, learning opportunities, and work-life balance as his favorite aspects of IBM and the reasons for his return. How did he experience these in his own career? Read his story to find out! “Few know the journey that brought me here. In December 2012, I started at IBM as a demand specialist, quickly becoming a subject-matter expert. But after two and a half years, I felt the need for international experience. So, I decided to move to Barcelona, Spain, where I continued my career with a different company. However, in less than three years, I returned to Bucharest and rejoined IBM, working with the IBM’s Nordic business partners. This role broadened my understanding of different markets and business models. I helped build successful co-marketing campaigns, traveled, and met with business partners and colleagues, which made things even better. My dedication led to a promotion to a people management position, leading a team of 16 ecosystem marketing professionals across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Big thanks to the team for putting up with a new manager, showing patience and understanding. I'm grateful for the support from my team, colleagues, and the organization, as their guidance helped shape my leadership skills. As now I am leading in the Middle East and Africa, I appreciate the value of collaboration and witnessing the impact of IBM’s technology. Today, I cherish the work-life balance at IBM, enabling me to enjoy hobbies and family time. Reflecting on my journey, rejoining IBM was pivotal for my personal and professional growth.” Interested in returning to IBM? Join our Talent Network and explore potential opportunities tailored to you: https://ibm.co/3wS7aA1