12 Month Intern: Consulting Early Associate - Design Roles

Join IBM Consulting for a 12-month undergraduate placement, gaining hands-on experience in user research, journey mapping, and experience design while collaborating with diverse teams to improve customer and employee experiences.

Introduction

A career in IBM Consulting is built on long-term client relationships and close collaboration worldwide. You’ll work with leading companies across industries, helping them shape their hybrid cloud and AI journeys.

With support from our strategic partners, robust IBM technology, and Red Hat, you’ll have the tools to drive meaningful change and accelerate client impact. At IBM Consulting, curiosity fuels success. You’ll be encouraged to challenge the norm, explore new ideas, and create innovative solutions that deliver real results.

Our culture of growth and empathy focuses on your long-term career development while valuing your unique skills and experiences.

Your role and responsibilities

Please Note: 
Roles will be open for applications from Friday 27th March - Sunday 12th April 2026

 IBM is a leading global technology company which helps organisations transform their businesses with innovative solutions and expertise. We are seeking highly motivated and ambitious individuals to join our consulting business for a 12-month university placement.

 What this internship is about 
Join our consulting team and help shape experiences people actually enjoy using. You’ll explore how customers interact with products and services, spot opportunities to make things better and bring creative ideas to life. You don’t need a big design portfolio — just curiosity, imagination and an interest in understanding people.

Throughout the year you'll forge meaningful connections, expand your network, interact with diverse teams, clients and leaders, each bringing a unique perspective to the table. We have a large community of mentors and coaches to guide you, offer constructive feedback and support your development.

 What you might do:

• Help gather user insights through simple research 

• Support sketching, idea generation or journey mapping 

• Summarise user insights clearly and creatively 

• Join workshops or design sessions 

• Contribute ideas to improve customer or employee experiences 

• Your projects may vary — but you’ll always be supported. 

 What you’ll get 

• Hands‑on experience with real design and consulting teams 

• Learning in user research, journey mapping and creative problem-solving 

• A friendly environment where ideas matter 

• A clearer sense of whether experience design is right for you 

 If you’re excited by creativity, people and making things better, we’d love to see your application. 

 Competitive Benefits Package: 

• Salary £25,000 per annum

• Holiday allowance: 25 days + public holidays

• IBM Rewards, Enjoy discounts and benefits at high-street shops

Required education

Pre-University Qualification

Required technical and professional expertise

This is an undergraduate position and as such, you should meet the following criteria: 

• Studying at a UK University

• Completing an undergraduate degree and on track for a 2:1 (minimum)

• Due to graduate in 2028 - you must return to university to complete your final year after placement. 

• Live within a commutable distance of your base location (London or Manchester) as you will be required on site for a minimum 3 days per week. 

• Eligible to work in the UK full time for the duration of your internship (no visa sponsorship available)

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Curious about how organisations run and how problems get solved 

• Adaptable, open‑minded and happy jumping between tasks 

• Clear communicator who asks questions and shares ideas 

• Collaborative, positive and eager to learn quickly

• Interested in consulting and excited to explore different areas