"I think you can measure a company's interest in its people by its willingness to invest in them."
"I joined IBM in June,'65, in operations research.
"I liked the work well enough, but after a year and a half, I began to think that the ideal field for me was computer programming. (This is Alvin Palmer, an Associate Programmer at IBM.)
"But by this time, I was making a pretty good salary. So I was faced with a big question. Would IBM be willing to let me move into a new field which would mean going to school and not being productive for a while?
"The answer was 'yes.' I went to programming school full time for three months. And IBM continued to pay my full salary.
"I get a tremendous kick out of programming. You're telling a computer how to do its job, and it really gets you involved. Maybe because you're continually solving problems."
You don't need a technical degree
"Your major doesn't matter. There are plenty of programmers at IBM with degrees in liberal arts or business What counts is having a logical mind.
"I'm making good progress in this field, so I'm glad I was able to make the change. I think it indicates how far IBM will go to help you make the most of your abilities."
Al's comments cover only a small part of the IBM story. For more facts, visit your campus placement office. Or send an outline of your career interests and educational background to I.C.Pfeiffer,IBM Corporation, Department C,100 South Wacker Dr., Chicago, Illinois 60606. We're an equal opportunity employer.
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