Leveraging a work force

Combining education, technology and business principles through real projects, IBM is gearing students up for the reality of not just the working world of today but that of tomorrow with internship and training programs through its Smart University.

"Smart University is not a building or a real university, but a concept," said Jan Louda, university relations manager for IBM's Prague-based Czech division. "It's a concept to get people prepared for the practical working world once they graduate. Once they get through and graduate from our programs, they can find their place in the market and bring value to the companies immediately."

Known for their innovations in information technology, officials at IBM realized they could utilize their expertise and help give a competitive edge to people by working in tandem with universities and providing internships and training programs that teach people technologies ahead of the curve. While many of the practices used in IBM's Smart University have been in play since 2009, it was officially launched in 2010.

"We are now preparing students for jobs that do not exist yet," said Monika Ladmanová, manager of corporate responsibility at IBM. "We know today that six out of 10 positions selected as the most favored didn't exist 10 years ago. We are introducing this new change to the paradigm to universities."

By setting up what IBM calls "competence centers" at various universities that specialize in different fields of learning in Ostrava, Brno, Plzeň and Prague, IBM is not only creating attractive employees for its own use, but also for its clients and other corporate affiliates. In addition, the company's four-month internship program and training programs with personal mentors are also molding careers that officials claim can't be created solely on studies alone.

"Our students typically get a job within one month after graduating if they don't start during their training," said Pavel Wimmer, leader of student activities. "After the internship and training programs, our graduates have the two to three years of real experience that most jobs look for. We offer a lot of our graduates full-time positions at IBM or with our customers or business partners."

Dominik Franěk went through both the internship and training program and was offered a full-time position with the IBM software group in Prague three months before graduating. He studied at a technical university, so he said he gained the soft skills he lacked by working with a large corporation on several projects through the program.

"I studied at a technical university, so I had almost no knowledge of business," he said. "I learned new technologies every day, about things I had never even heard of, but I also learned the business point of view, which made me an expert with unique knowledge of technology."

While information technology is a moving force in the Smart University, it's not just about technology, Louda said. Based on reports from CEOs from large corporations, IBM decided to employ a more multidisciplinary approach to IT education by tackling soft skills such as communication within a company, selling skills and knowledge of the market.

"What was lacking - and what we provide - is what are called 'T-shaped' people who have a deep knowledge of technology, which represents the leg of the T, and a shallow knowledge of a soft skill such as management or industrial knowledge," he said. "We create this through real business models, mentors and a combination of all these skills in one master's program. This is how people and companies are successful and not outsourced."

Vlastimil Kouřimský, a former intern student-turned IBM employee, said the program, while not a replacement for university education, was a "priceless complement" to his education and keeps IT and careers in technology rewarding in the Czech Republic.

"The program provided me with experiences and connections with business people, customers and most importantly, my mentor and I definitely have more opportunities and a better overview of the industry because of it," he said. "It may seem like many people have an education in IT these days, but the contrary is really the case. There is always room for talent in companies."

Megan Battista can be reached at
features@praguepost.com