Sprin Intern Review

The insight week was an absolute pleasure to be a part of. I had the chance to meet very bright people with a common interest in investment banking, which I greatly value. I am sure that the connections I have made will last a lifetime. The company representatives were also very accommodating and welcomed all questions, either related to the bank or their careers/

I was treated with great respect and was regarded as a professional. I participated in numerous case study sessions and networking session, and felt that Bank of America Merrill Lynch was encouraging me to communicate with industry veterans to learn about what their work entails and what kind of problems they tackle every day.

The bankers introduced me to the various operations within the Global Corporate Investment Banking division and assisted me greatly in choosing the operation that is of the most interest to me. Human resources also provided me with ample advice about the assessment process at the end of the week, which was invaluable.

Though the case study and presentation improvement sessions I learned how to present my ideas concisely and how to express myself compellingly. I believe that these skills will be key as I pursue a career in the financial industry, as I will be regularly interacting with clients and advising them.

The insight week began with a general overview of the bank’s structure after which I had the chance to understand the firm’s specific divisions and what their works involves. I believe that this is a very intuitive structure. In addition, the assessment centre was on the last day of the insight week, thereby not interfering with my exam revision after the week had ended. The insight week was very thoughtfully structured.

Everyone was enthusiastic about spending a week at the bank. People were very open to meeting others, exchanging experiences and discussing interests. The case studies and networking sessions enabled me to interact with my cohort, thereby allowing me to establish acquaintances that I am sure will stand the test of time.

Through numerous fulfilling interactions with bankers at the firm, I learned that Bank of America Merrill Lynch strongly supports an entrepreneurial spirit and will assist you in pursuing your objectives. This can range from initiatives on the job to community service activities. I believe that this is great given the rapidly changing nature of the banking industry.

I learned about the diversity that the firm endorses. It believes, rightly, that diversity is key to fostering a productive and creative environment in which everyone can learn and grow. The firm is supportive of global mobility, evident in a mobility programme it has put in place to facilitate an international career.

I learned about the strategic and client-facing nature of investment banking, and in particular mergers and acquisitions. As a team-driven person that is keen on interacting with different people, I believe that a career in this industry greatly suits my personality and preferences. I am looking forward to help corporations grow globally.

There were numerous networking sessions, and roundtables as well as a dinner in which I met many professionals at the bank. There was an abundance of networking opportunities and the professionals were always looking to answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. I left the programme with a plethora of contacts in all subdivisions of the Global Corporate Investment Banking division.

I would absolutely recommend this insight week to friend. It was an opportunity to understand the firm’s structure, its culture and what the work in my divisional preference entails. I established numerous contacts in GCIB as well as Global Markets and Research, which I am sure will be instrumental in assisting me with my career.