Alexa Jackson, a recent alumna who graduated from PVAMU December 2018, has secured a job at IBM in Atlanta after working as an intern in the Watson Customer Engagement department as a digital development representative last summer. Jackson, who graduated with her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in economics, will be working as a Summit Trainee for digital sales. She will begin her new position in January.
During her time as an intern, Jackson found that her energy and laid-back personality meshed well with the company environment. Additionally, she found that she fit in well with the city’s culture and lifestyle and found that people of color are less competitive with one another in Atlanta compared with other cities.
“Aside from the genuine people in Atlanta, experiencing corporate America in such a great city had a major impact on my internship with the company,” Jackson said.
During her time with the company, Jackson attended two IBM social events, one of which was an Atlanta Braves baseball game and the other the Atlanta Black Network Spring Fling for IBM employees.
“At both events, I was introduced to other IBM employees who have great success within the company,” she said. “Seeing the success of other employees has been very motivational for me. It allowed me to see a snippet of myself within three to 10 years and inspired me to keep grinding and work my way up.”
Jackson noted that her internship was very eye-opening, giving her the opportunity to tap into her passion, which is people and relationship building. Working in sales also provided her an in-depth understanding of the relationship between the client and her, rather than just the product she might be selling.
“Through my internship experience, I’ve collected not only professional lessons but every day, life-long lessons as well,” she said. “I now have an abundance of mentors and friends who I know will continue to help guide me as I take on the challenge of life after my graduation.”