IBM

Don't want to appear too negative, but the pros have been overtaken by the cons. IBM was in a good position and is losing ground at an astonishing rate. It's not too late yet, though.

If you are fresh out of school, you might find the first few years rewarding, and I would say you will definitely learn a lot. But be prepared that it will come to a halt eventually (see cons).

If you find a start-up or smaller/younger company which interests you, go that route right away instead. It's worth taking the risk.

Work-life balance is OK at IBM. Also, depending on the team, you may be allowed to work remotely, which is definitely a big plus.

IBM is trying to save money on everything, and they surely don't do it wisely.

Motivation and salary growth are low. Forget about fancy hardware/equipment right away.

Every year, you will get more unpleasant surprises, e.g., the 401K lump sum employer match at the end of the year BS, and performance bonuses.

Market-based adjustments for sure aren't fair either, provided you even get them.

And then there are those resource actions which defy any logic.

Cheap labor will get IBM what it pays for in the long run.

1. SALARY: Pay fairly and value good work with respective bonuses. Many good engineers are leaving because they are frustrated about the rewards they get for their work and where the company is heading in general.

2. PROCESSES: Allow them to be more flexible. It has become quite ridiculous over the years with all the rules, tools, cycles, approvals, guidelines, and more.

3. TOOLS: This is a good time for a Churchill quote: "Give us the tools and we will finish the job."

4. CUTS: If you have to cut, don't forget to cut the senior management chain to keep everything in proportion.