Industrial Placement - Consequential Risk Review

I enjoyed the placement to a point where I would definitely take up the opportunity to work as part of UBS again if it was given. I do however feel that if I were not to make the cut for the grad scheme that I would keep my options open regarding the line of work I went into after uni, but I do not feel that UBS is "at fault" for this. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here.

I have been given important tasks, and felt that the input that I have given means something to the teams that I have been a part of. I've got on well with everyone here and have enjoyed my team members company.

The program for introducing new members, of any rank, is clearly dedicated at UBS. Over the course of the year I have had regular catch ups with my line manager and there is a direct line of contact for any queries.

A positive to take from the placement is that I was never overwhelmed to the point where I felt too stressed on a daily basis. There were crunch times, but I found more often than not it would be the case where for short periods I would not have a lot of work to keep me motivated. I would say that my placement was well-balanced, perhaps leaning over to "not enough".

I felt that all of my tasks had meaning, and had some impact on the team performance.

My problem solving skills have developed, and I feel that my organisation skills have certainly improved and will help me with project management in my final year.

The environment was focused, yet relaxed. It would be tense at times but not too often.

When I joined a new team the tasks I would have to carry out were clearly set out before I arrived, and it was clear where I stood in the team. One negative point to mention though, is that I had to have my placement extended by a week as it hadn't been taken into account that I was leaving before the next batch took over.

There was a section of the internal system dedicated to training, that provided multiple online courses that could be taken in your own time. There were also multiple opportunities to attend seminars and external speaker series on various topics.

After speaking with members of the graduate training program, everyone I've spoken to is satisfied with their position. The way in which the scheme works appears to be very similar to that of the placement, but there are opportunities for international travel, and also more teams available to take positions in.

Although the social events did not happen often, they were enjoyable and were brilliant icebreakers for new members. I found that the days after the first social event with colleagues was far more relaxed in the sense that there was less fear in approaching more senior members once I'd spoken with them outside of the workplace.

It is probably unfair for me to have an input on the living aspect as I was living with parents, and therefore spending a lot less money that those who had to find places to live in London. With regards to socialising, you had to look around a bit before finding somewhere affordable for placement students, particularly as more senior people in this industry have far higher salaries than yourself and can afford to splurge a bit more on nights out.

Plenty of different things to do in Central London.