Intern Review

I enjoyed the placement a lot. I was given a lot of different opportunities as well as tasks and guidances to accomplish them. In addition to work, the team building and social activities during the whole placement was very enjoyable and effective. The internship was one of the best I have ever had.

My colleagues in my placement all worked in different areas within the same business. That did not mean they had no interaction. I was involved in a project across a few of the areas, and the whole team was very appreciative and happy about the work done within the short period of time.

I was given a lot of support throughout the whole placement. The placement managers and the colleagues constantly gave feedback and guidance on the work, the team leader giving me opportunities to show the work to different people across the business and the talent team for making sure we settled into our placements well.

It depended. While the task involved learning coding and doing data collection from various sources, internal and external, there was enough time to finish everything on time. In addition to the project, I was also involved in various tasks such as preparing presentations and reading through documents to understand the business.

I was very independent as the task involved various areas within the team. The project was very important to the business as it optimises resource allocation for the business across the whole UK. Even though the was much responsibility, the pressure was not particularly high - the place was a very friendly place and though everyone was busy, it was not hard to get guidance.

There were some training provided prior and during the placement. While I study a very academic degree which means the workplace skills and office skills are not as important, it would definitely have a large impact on when I graduate and enter the workforce. The guidance and feedback I have received have been invaluable.

It is very friendly. Even though I was placed on the executive floor, it didn't mean that everyone was just working and working and chasing after numbers. There were lots of interaction within and inter teams as well as many informal lunches and snacks. There were secretaries on the floor which made navigating easy.

It was much more organised than expected. Instead of only allocating interns into different teams, we were asked of preferences and mid-term reviews from the talents team. In the placement, the managers were fully aware of the whole process and was able to guide me through the whole journey.

The company reimbursed a lot of things as well as subsidised many events. Often the talents team manager was present to address our concerns and questions. The company was very conscious of personal development. Although it was only less than two months, it is very noticeable that the company emphasises on people interaction and colleagues enjoy working in the company.

The return rate appears to be relatively high compared with other banks - in tems of interns back as interns or interns back as Management Trainees (Graduate Scheme). We got introduced different schemes which are more of our choice than them placing us into schemes we might or might not like. The diversity of the schemes are also quite varse as the company is very large.

The corporate canteen and coffee shops have provided very convenient and inexpensive social opportunities which made socialising easy. The number of pubs/bars and restaurants in the Canary Wharf area also made it easy. Interns and graduate hires are very proactive in organising socials and are frequently having large turn outs. Most attendees are happy with the socials.

I worked in Canary Wharf and lived in Central London. No doubt the cost is high but it is to be expected. Subsidised canteens and coffee shops in the office building are hence popular options for socialising with people in the company - and the diversity of restaurants in the Canary Wharf area was very high and the options are vast.

Canary Wharf has clubs and pubs which open til late. Though people finish work at different times in the area, waiting at the pub etc. become a popular thing to do. There are also very good public transport (tube and bus) to Shoreditch and other places with nightlife in London from Canary Wharf.

Yes. There are many committees organising activities aimed at different people within the graduate hires. We were always encouraged to join in activities like fundraising, charity work, challenges etc. which are both fun and for a good cause. There were also corporate runs and other corporate activities. In addition to that, it is up to individuals to find activities outside of work.