IBM

I've been working as a software developer for 2 years full-time at IBM, and I left mostly due to the generally bad atmosphere following mass layoffs in 2014.

It's been a big learning experience, really, as you're surrounded by brilliant engineers, including lots of "old school" pioneers of the field. The great mix of generations makes for a unique working environment, as opposed to many early-30s IT companies around, and that's definitely a big plus.

IBM provides many personal benefits and learning opportunities, and you're (at least my team was) encouraged to apply for working on contracts all over Europe.

It's a huge corporation, with all the benefits and downsides of such an organization. You're an asset, a number, and IBM keeps reminding you of that. It's all about numbers, and the holy number is obviously the stock value.

Oftentimes, you'll spend more time fighting the inner bureaucracy of the company than actually being productive and focused on your task. It's worse than working for the government.

IBM's way of "keeping score" on your productivity is messed up. Many of the higher-up developers/architects were branded as unproductive, due to their managers trying to comply with IBM's rules.

The company, in general, is going through big changes, and it's not going well. People don't really believe in the work they do, just hoping that IBM is "too big to fail." The smartest ones (and younger ones) are just leaving.

Lay waste on middle management. Seriously, decimate those numbers. Too many paper pushers and spreadsheet fillers are a big weight on the company.