I’ve been at IBM since 2013. Since that time I’ve seen most of the coworkers I counted as friends get laid off. (Why do we have to say “RA” just because the terms “lay off” and “laid off” cause IBM heartburn?) Given my age and my tenure at IBM, I can’t help but feel a bullseye forming on my back. Still, I’m more at peace with this idea as time goes on. Much of that is because I have yet to talk to any former IBM employee who wishes they were still with Big Blue.
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@18e The job market isn't the best right now, especially if you are older. If you really want to leave IBM, be sure to have a new job lined up first. I left IBM 15 years ago, and walked into a better paying, better work environment - but I have to admit to missing certain aspects - but IBM now is not IBM 15 years ago, which was not IBM 30 years ago. There is much more competition out there, which means more job options. Take you IBM experience and use it as a spring board for something better.
@OP I have talked to quit a few. As an older worker, it is hard to find a good job to replace IBM. It is short sighted on the parts of employers, but it is real.
The IBM corporation is now rotten at its core. True, a few of the individual teams at IBM are still marvels, and it can be rewarding to work with those people. But HQ, high executives, and corporate functions are uniformly toxic. If you can already feel the bullseye forming due to years of seniority and age, it’s time to begin looking around for better. Look carefully because IBM does not have a monopoly on corruption at the core … you don’t want to jump from the frying pan into the fire. But if you’re in North America or Europe, the budget cutters will eventually start fixating on your costly seniority, if they haven’t already.
Time was, three and a half decades ago, that I was very proud to be an IBMer, I bled blue, and I always went the extra mile. I even spent 25 years as a part of IBM management. Now, I no longer use the pronoun “we” when referring to IBM and I don’t work through the night to meet a deadline that became tight because some ja----s, incompetent executive sat on a decision forever and then issued a last minute call to arms. IBM no longer earns loyalty from its employees, and it has been decades since it has shown any loyalty to them.
If you find an alternative elsewhere that would be good for you personally, don’t be held back from taking it by inertia or loyalty.
@a5 Current IBMer here. Thank you for letting us know that the grass can be greener on the other side of Big Blue.
RA ‘d from CIO in Spain 2 years ago. moved to an insurance company that doubled my IBM salary and tbh that RA was one of the best things that could happen to me.
The thing I miss most about IBM is all the bullsh-t. Every day was more bullsh-t: Watson, Smarter Planet, "The Cloud", co-k su-ka RT's essays, ... Sometimes I come to this site to learn about all the new bullsh-t. God I miss the bullsh-t.
I was brainwashed blue too don’t feel bad. @OP life is better outside of IBM. IBM definitely helps and gets your foot in the door. But yes it’s much better when it’s your time to go.
@OP . Working at IBM has a beginning and an end, like any other phase in life. Leaving IBM, either voluntarily or laid off (forced out), should not make a difference. It is very important to be prepared for it and no panic.
IBM is an old dysfunctional entity run by the Indian id1ot at the top. It is just another Indian useless tribe in North America.
I loved Big Blue but I am much better off now. More 30% increase in salary. Less hectic and stressful work environment and a lot less politics going on. I look back embarased that I turned down great opportunities due to my loyalty to IBM. A loyalty that was not reciprocated.