Building Career Ready Skills with the IBM Accelerate Summer Program

Bridging the gap from learning in the academic world to preparing for work  in an internship can be challenging, especially considering the obstacles we’ve all faced with the global pandemic. IBM put its finest minds to work to come up with an early career readiness program that addresses this unique challenge and creates a new pathway for second and third year undergraduate students to build career ready skills and prepare for the workforce. Carly, the IBM Accelerate Program Manager, shares her insight on the mission of the summer program and what students can expect to learn and experience.

Applications for the 2024 program have currently closed. To register your interest in the 2025 program and to be contacted once applications are open to submit an application, please complete the form here.

IBM Accelerate early career readiness summer program

The core foundation of the IBM Accelerate summer program is to help high-potential undergraduate students build their skills, grow their network, and inspire confidence in their abilities as they prepare for internships and full-time employment. The program helps boost employability by identifying and equipping students with the skills and readiness they need to make an impact on day one in their future jobs.

The program runs for eight weeks, from early June through late July, and offers a live, virtual learning experience to participants from across the United States. The time commitment is three hours each week with two required evening sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays where students will learn about key foundational skills, as well as experience track-based learnings on a variety of tech and industry topics.

Providing this learning opportunity in the evening allows for students to continue working in their summer jobs or internships during the day so they have the time to engage with IBMers later in the day and get the most value out of the program. Moreover, since the program is virtual, participants can get involved from anywhere in the United States!

Key foundational skills to boost employability

Technical skills are important, but foundational skills are what drives success and advancement for interns and full-time employees, whether it be in tech or any other field. These skills can be applied to any job and are crucial for building networks and nurturing relationships that will help individuals stand out and navigate the workforce.

As part of IBM Accelerate, participants will learn key foundational skills such as developing a growth mindset, enhancing written and verbal communications, networking with subject matter experts, building impactful resumes, interviewing best practices, and much more.

Six track-based learning paths to choose from

IBM Accelerate offers participants the opportunity to focus on the knowledge and skills most applicable to their interests and career aspirations. Choosing one of the tracks below allows participants to dig deeper into the skills and learnings needed to succeed in these fields.

• Consulting – learn how consultants help organizations better predict, automate, secure, and modernize their business.
• Designer – learn the foundations of UX, visual design, and design research, while applying design skills to emerging tech.
• Marketing & Communications – learn how to be creative and adopt a data-driven mindset to tell stories that resonate with audiences and drive business results
• Software Development – expand programming skills and enhance understanding of coding assessment platforms while learning how to work in agile teams and think critically.
• Client Engineering & Technical Sales – grow your technical and interpersonal skills to prepare for a future career as a trusted client advisor and problem-solver.
• Research – increase programming skills and explore the latest tools and technologies in AI and Quantum computing while learning about how IBM Research is inventing what’s next.

Access to world-class mentors and career coaches

Through IBM Accelerate, participants will have the unique opportunity, very early in their careers, to be aligned with a professional IBMer to receive mentoring and coaching to help map out their career journey moving forward. Through IBM Accelerate, participants will have the unique opportunity, very early in their careers, to be aligned with a professional IBMer to receive mentoring and coaching to help map out their career journey moving forward. Your IBM Coach will guide you through the weekly material, help answer your questions and offer support for growing your network with IBMers.

Key details to know about the summer program

Who should apply?

• Second and third-year undergraduate students attending a U.S. post-secondary institution.
• All majors and areas of study with an interest in STEM and technology.

What are the benefits of completing this program?

• Receive coaching and mentorship opportunities from subject matter experts in the tech industry.
• Grow your professional network with IBMers and peers throughout the U.S.
• Build your skillset and apply the skills you learn in real-time group projects and assessments.
• Enhance your resume by obtaining an industry-recognized badge credential for your LinkedIn profile.
• Learn how to ace an interview and improve your resume before you apply to internships.
• Gain invaluable experiences and opportunities that become available to all Accelerate participants at IBM.

What is the application process and when would I hear back if I am accepted?

• Applications are now closed but will open again in early January 2025.
• On the application, you will rate up to your top 2 track preferences, upload your resume and respond to a short answer essay prompt.
• Our Talent Acquisition team will review your application submission and all applicants will hear back on their candidacy status by April 30, 2025.

What is the time commitment to the program?

• The program runs for eight weeks throughout the summer, from early June through late July 2025.
• It takes place three hours each week with two required evening sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays (7-8pm ET on Mondays and 6-8pm ET on Wednesdays).

Are you ready to start your career journey?

IBM Accelerate puts you in the driver’s seat of your career, allowing you to focus on what you’re truly passionate about, while learning key foundational skills to help you grow and advance your career, now and into the future.

Check out our Accelerate Program recap video to hear recent participants share their experiences about how the program truly accelerated their professional network, skillset, and career moving forward!

Please note, IBM does not provide visa sponsorships for internship positions now or in the future. Participation does not imply current employment nor guarantee future employment with IBM.