Spring Week Internship Review

It was thoroughly enjoyable and informational experience. All staff and other participants were incredibly friendly and helpful. I really enjoyed seeing how sector of the bank operates and staff welcomed any questions you had, which I found to be very beneficial. I would highly recommend the Spring Week to anyone.

From the beginning I was made to feel valued by every person I encountered. Staff were incredibly welcoming and accommodating. They had no problem taking time out to listen to any enquiries or questions you may have had and their engagement with you made you feel you were really valued. Even just walking through the offices you were welcomed with a smile by everyone, it was a very friendly environment.

Throughout the week there was always guidance and support provided to us. We could ask as many questions as we liked (remember there is no such thing as a stupid question) and at any time there was always someone to speak to. We were in constant communication with staff and telephone numbers and email addresses were provided so we could easily contact them outside the working hours.

Personally I felt the information I received from work shadowing, listening to presentations and from asking staff questions was massively beneficial. It was a really eye opening experience and I learned a lot that will help me with both my degree and future career. At the start of the week I was initially unsure of which area I wanted to pursue but at the end of the week I was easily able to narrow it down to my favourite areas.

The entire Spring Week was very well structured. Upon arrival we received a booklet full of various information and within this was a timetable for each Spring Week programme. You were then separated into separate groups and given details of who you would be work shadowing, in which area, and when. The day then followed each event on the timetable as it was outlined. There were small problems with timing one of the days and with a person who I was meant to be shadowing being absent but these problems were easily overcome.

Initially I was worried that it would be a very professional, cut-throat, and intense atmosphere throughout the week but thankfully I was very wrong. It was a very friendly and positive atmosphere the entire week. Everyone I encountered was extremely friendly and I made some great friends during the week who I still talk to. All the staff were very welcoming too and incredibly helpful, they really took the time to listen to you. A highpoint of the fun atmosphere were the team building exercises where you are guaranteed to have a lot of fun.

There were two days full of work shadowing during the week. These were really helpful and were in my opinion the most beneficial aspects of the week. We also received a talk on how to improve our presentation skills and the dos and don'ts of making a presentation. So there was a lot of time invested in developing our skills.

The extent to which it helped me understand what it would be like to work with such a firm can't be overstated. The work shadowing was such a valuable experience. I was able to ask as many questions as I liked and taking notes was encouraged. No matter how many times you read what a certain role does I feel you can't truly understand it without being able to witness the role in action. And that is why I really enjoyed the work shadowing

They informed us of all different aspects of the company culture. Such as all the various societies and events that employees take part in. They also really enforced their customer is number one policy and helped us with understanding why this is such an important aspect of their company's culture

I'm still not 100% decided on which area I'm going to choose follow in my future career but this Spring Week definitely narrowed down my choices and I feel that that is incredibly valuable. The week gives you a taste of so many different areas so you will definitely find the content of the day really helps with your decision.

You will be reimbursed flights up to £150, dinner each day up to £15, breakfast and lunch £5 each day and buses to and from Gogarburn.

There were lots opportunities for networking and meeting employees of the firm. At the end of the first day there was a social function with heads of different areas we would be work shadowing in and also at the end of the week there were drinks where we could talk to previous graduates and current employees. Also working shadowing provided another opportunity for networking

The opportunities I listed above were fantastic. You had plenty of opportunities to talk to different members of the staff and graduates and all were more than happy to provide their email in case you had any further questions

There were several societies that employees could become members of and on our last day we were given talks from graduates about different societies in which they operate. There were also lots of different charity events that you could participate in, providing lots of opportunities to get involved in activities outside work

Definitely. I've already recommended to a lot of people I know looking to pursue a career in banking. It was an extremely beneficial week. I learned a lot of valuable information which will certainly help me with focusing my career and it was also an incredibly enjoyable week.