Summer Intern Review

It was an insightful internship that enabled you to learn more about the commercial side of the bank. They also provided weekly 'Lunch and Learn' session to tell you more about each key area of the bank so that even if you were not working in that area, you would be well informed about it.

My colleagues did not treat me like 'just another intern', but instead valued my opinions even though I was only at the bank for 10 weeks. They trusted my judgement on the project I was contributing to enough to ask me questions on it and appreciated that I took the time out to answer their queries.

As the main project I was handing was a project that no one had particular expertise in (it was a new requirement), I did not really receive any support and guidance from my managers. However, that enabled me to take charge of my own learning and eventually become the key person to ask information from. Other than work guidance, my manager gave plenty of support and advice on my personal development, such as future career paths, which I was really appreciative of as it was something he didn't need to do.

I would put personally put ten starts for this as I'm a person that enjoys being busy and I really I was extremely busy having to support a few people and at the same time making sure that I hit my own weekly objectives. However, I appreciate that most people would like a balance and might not enjoy working in such an environment.

I was given a task to project manage which was the bank's top priority at the time. To be entrusted with such a responsibility made me feel valued and more important than just an intern. I had to make sure my colleagues had to stay on top of the project amidst all their other work and help those that had needed to do more.

Most skills that I learnt were soft skills that enabled me to use it wherever I go. I was given a couple of presentations to complete and present, which enabled me to break out of my shell more (more so since i'm naturally a shy person).

I think it's a typical office environment. Everyone was really nice and made me feel comfortable since day 1.

I think the placement was relatively well organised considering its size. We had a 2 day induction, weekly lunch and learn sessions, a charity day, and a final farewell day. Thus although we were based all around that country, we were able to come together from time to time to network and interact with each other and share or experiences.

My office in particular was pretty good in organising evens and my manager made sure I attended them. I managed to attend a networking event where we were taught how to network and I put it to good use later when I had to network with the bank's stakeholders. In addition, my manager also gave me good advice that he learnt himself that I find really useful. However, this was all due to my placement office and the main emerging talent team did less of this aspect and could improve.

It is a really interesting and huge organisation with endless areas to explore and experience. The roles are varied and one is bound to find something that he/she likes.

There wasn't really much in my area as we were all spaced around the country and I was the only intern in my area.

It was not the cheapest place. However, we were given territorial allowances which made up for it in some way. In terms of socialising during work, my office went to several lunches / off sites together which was really fun and relaxing to get out of the office once in a while

It was a pretty good nightlife as I lived in the centre of the city.

The bank organised an charity day where we had the opportunity to help out in a school. Besides that, we were also given a challenge to raise as much money as possible for charity over the course of our internship which was nice as I was able to engage in varied activities.