Spring Insight Programme Review

The insight programme was quite good. There was a lot of effort put into making us aware of the different divisions that the company has and case studies put on for each division. I would have liked a bit more variety with what was put on, for example an office tour etc may have been nice. I think sometimes we were expected to understand a lot of jargon as well but otherwise I enjoyed it.

It was adequate, we were welcome well at the beginning of the programme and by the director of a division who welcomed us as well. There was often talk about the potential future we may have at Macquarie as students but otherwise, there was little opportunity to feel valued. It was on a middle-scale level but it didn't really effect my enjoyment of the programme

We did not work shadow or do any work experience over the course of the programme so there was little opportunity for guidance/support in that regard. There were a lot of case studies/ trading games put on after hearing about each division and we were always assigned a graduate to talk us through things or guide us if we didn't quite understand.

In terms of getting an insight into the firm, that was quite useful. It is always interesting to experience companies in financial services from a first-hand perspective and gave me an insight into what it would be like to pursue a career in that sector on a number of levels which will assist me beyond. Otherwise, there was advice given on CVs and Applications very briefly at the end which was fine but not too detailed/ insightful.

There was a full programme set our for the students and the structure was well done in itself. As I mentioned I would have like more variety in terms of activities. Another problem was that time was not kept as well it was could have and sessions often ran into the next session, reducing the time for breaks etc but it came together in the end.

It was professional, and the event was taken relatively serious. There were different speakers on the various divisions who were more relaxed and humorous than others and there were times to have a laugh. On a more general standing, things were kept mostly professional and you were meant to act accordingly.

Because the programme was relatively short, there was little opportunity for the company to provide much training and development as it was mainly focussed giving insight into the company itself. There was time given to give the interns a recommended approach about applying to Macquarie with regards to CVs, Cover Letters, and Application Forms but this was not extensive and was relatively brief.

To a very great extent. When learning about the various divisions of the company there were at least 6 employees in a combination of non-graduates and graduates giving insight into the type of work that was carried out and what some day-to-day activities would be in these divisions. We were also able to hear in more detail from graduates through a graduate panel discussion on how they found working in the different divisions in terms of work-life balance, transition from university and so on which was insightful.

Quite well - there was little emphasis put on their "official" company culture throughout the programme but it was briefly highlighted in one of the divisions presentations. There was often highlights of the culture more indirectly, particular with the introductory/welcome speaker at the beginning. The day gave me the opportunity to observe the culture as well through the type of people employed and hearing experiences of employees through networking sessions.

I think the day gave me a very succinct overview of what it would be like to work with a company like Macquarie. It gave me the relevant insight I needed to understand things like work-life balance, type of work, the distinctions in terms of work in the different divisions and whether or not I felt I would be a right fit for a company like them in the future.

On receipt of my acceptance onto the programme, I was made aware that the company would reimburse me through their travel bookings services. The costs would be covered for my travel and return to the firm and was only to be reimbursed if booked through their travel services. They bought my train ticket and sent through the relevant booking references.

Yes, there was opportunity throughout the programme to engage with employees and network. When learning about each division, a corresponding case study was out on for which we would receive guidance from a current graduate which was an opportunity to engage. We also had networking over lunch, as well as networking with all most employees that had been part of the programme at the end.

Very well put on. We were provided with lunch during which we were able to network with employees, and at the end of the programme, there was a networking event put on in their main socialising area. It was a nice space to get around and talk to employees and we were also provided canapes and drink throughout the event.

No not particularly. There was a designated session where employees were meant to highlight the various employee networks that they had at the firm but this was cancelled as a result of over-run time for the previous sessions. The people who were meant to talk at this were subsequently asked to be part of the networking sessions but did not personally come across them.

Yes I would - insight programmes are always a useful way of getting to know a firm or company without necessarily doing an internship with them. This insight programme did give me a good understand of what it would be like to work at Macquarie and whether or not they are a company I would be interested in working with in the future.