Front Office Spring Insight Review

I really enjoyed the Spring Inisght at Barclays. It gave us all the opportunity to learn more about the Banking and Markets divisions at Barclays and how they are structured. The week was also a good way to experience the overall working culture of the company and discover which area(s) of the bank you like best.

Everyone I spoke to was incredibly friendly and welcoming. There were plenty of opportunities to ask any questions you may have had about banking or Barclays in particular. We were also given a buddy who was able to answer any other questions we had - no matter how silly they seemed! My buddy was extremely friendly and we met on a couple of occasions throughout the week.

During the spring insight week we all received lots of guidance and support from numerous representatives of Barclays. Everyone I spoke to throughout the insight was very happy to answer any questions I had. Furthermore, recent graduates and summer internship attendees were able to give incredibly useful advice for future interviews/applications.

During the week we had a couple of skills sessions that taught us various things from overall etiquette to presentation and debating skills. All of the things that I learnt were of particular use during my time at Barclays and they enabled me to get the most out of my spring week as I possibly could.

The insight week was very well structured. We were given a schedule beforehand so we knew what to expect each day. Throughout the week there was a mix of networking, shadowing and teamwork activities. Moreover, we also got the opportunity to hear from various members of staff from various divisions within front office.

The overall atmosphere was warm and welcoming, It was great talking to other spring insight attendees and I have certainly made friends that I going to keep in touch with. There were several occasions where we got the opportunity to work in different teams and this was a great way to meet everyone.

Barclays invested a lot of time and effort in preparing the insight for us. There was so much to do and everything that I have learnt in this one week will massively help me in the future. Barclays gave us lots of information about its various divisions/products with lots off senior members of staff offering their time to help us.

Throughout the spring insight week we met lots of employees who had recently joined Barclays. We also met several former spring insight attendees who now all hold positions within front office. They told us all about their experiences throughout university and what it is like to work at Barclays as both an intern and graduate.

The spring insight was a great way to learn more about the culture and atmosphere at the bank.

Attending the front office spring insight week gave me a comprehensive overview of the industry and dispelled any misconceptions I had about pursuing a career in finance. Moreover, I was also unsure at the start of the week as to where I would fit in, but now I have a clear idea of what division I would like to work in.

Throughout the week there were several networking events. Speed networking was especially great as we got to talk to various representatives from all of the various divisions within both Banking and Markets. One evening we also had time to network with a range of business representatives from right across Barclays including Technology, Barclaycard and Business Functions.

The networking events were good fun. It was a nice way to meet lots of new people and build your own network (something that is really important). For me also it was a great way to boost my confidence too - especially because I have never been in networking situations before.

Yes, several members of staff told us of their interests and activities that they are involved in outside of work.

I think anyone who is considering a career in Investment Banking should apply to the spring insight at Barclays as it is a great way to learn about the different opportunities available and see if it somewhere you could picture yourself working in the future. It is also a great way to meet employees from various roles and ask them any questions you may have. I found the week thoroughly enjoyable.