My step-dad, Don, has been talking to his son Greg who works for IBM in America (he is also a republican but nobody's perfect :) ). Don has given me some great CV tips as he himself used to work for IBM and has been all over the world in some very hgh powered positions. So far his career advice has been invaluable and my newly updated CV could do with some commentry. Anyway Greg is going to chat to his boss (in A'merka) and the SA execs to see if there is a possibility of vac work. I have asked IBM about vac work before but I got a "we're not hiring" response. I am very keen to work for them someday. I also attempted to apply when they came down for our Grad Placement Program last year, but was told that they are looking for ABC's. When the audience asked what the hell that was the acronym was explained as "Asians, Blacks and Coloured", not a great ad as you can imagine.

Apart from that my real Dad, Basil, might be coming down for my grad, yay, I look forward to seeing him and my mother, Christine.

UPDATE: Greg really is an invaluable resource, and has pointed out that IBM spends "tens of millions of dollars a year on diversity programs" and "is very sensitive to any discrimination - reverse or otherwise. However, sometimes, their hands are tied - due to conditions in the contract with the Client or Government." Thus my intention was never to label IBM as racist but rather to point out that their one recruited didn't have a great pitch, hardley a reflection of the whole company.