Corporate Finance Analyst Review

I had a very enjoyable experience on my work placement, as not only were my team great to work with but I also felt welcomed in to the wider office and other departments. The work I was completing was challenging and stimulating, this helping me to learn vital skills for my final year and further career. The social committee are also a big asset to the office as they allowed me to start up a work netball team. My aim was to create more integration in the office between departments while also maintaining a good work-life balance. I was given opportunities to attend meetings and networking events to progress my communication skills with clients and intermediaries. Overall I have had the best and most valuable experience working at RSM.

As the only placement student in the team I was worried that I would not be given great responsibilty, however, the opposite was true. In proving myself to my manager she was able to trust me with greater responsibilty in time constrained projects. Greater responsibilty means I have felt more valued by my team as I am having a bigger impact on projects. Also, as netball captain, I have made some great friendships within the office, including with my manager.

My whole team have been very helpful in guiding me through tasks so that I can learn each time and become more independent when given work. In sharing their knowledge I have learnt a vast amount in only a year, and these skills will help me in my future career. My team have always been very approachable when I have questions and are always happy to help me when it is needed. Overall my team were highly supportive and spent time to help me progress.

Life in Corporate Finance is project based, therefore, some months are much busier than others. I have had a good balance of work, some busy days have meant late evenings in the office, whereas other quiet days have been more relaxed. The work has been stimulating and challenging which has kept me focussed and interested.

I was given the responsibilty expected for an employee of my level. I was even given responsibilty to manage particular tasks with other colleagues in my team. this allowed me to show my leadership and time keeping skills. I think it was important for me to gain the trust of my manager in order to be given greater responsibilty, but overall I have had a great impact in the work going in to various projects.

I have participated in various training during my time at RSM, not only has this aided me in my role but I know that it will help me in my module choices for my final year at university. I think that my communication skills have grown massively which is a vital life skill to have. I believe that having experienced a year of full time, challenging work this will help me to be more focussed, committed and motivated during my final year and beyond.

My team has some great personalities within it and this creates a great working atmosphere as we are always having fun. The team are able to keep morales high when work is stressful and days are long, I believe I played a role in keeping the mood light. When we are busy we are all in heavy work mode and respect the need to concentrate. On quieter days we have many more team discussions and debates.

I was not made to feel like a placement student, instead I was welcomed as a permanent employee. I was provided with plenty of training for me to complete tasks within my job role and these were organised for all new starters. I had a week bootcamp and and induction day alongside the Corporate Finance Conference. The overall placement has been well organised and has provided me with regular feedback. The company have also been very good in helping me to complete my uni work.

RSM invest a lot of time and resources in to regular training sessions as well as having my manager provide me with regular feedback and how I can improve. Being self-aware is also important and being able to identify your own weaknesses to improve on. I have developed a lot over the past year, as a person and in my knowledge and I believe this is due to being surrounded by professionals and recieving lots of training.

I would love to come back and work for RSM! I am currently waiting to hear whether I have secured a future job as it is the decision of my boss. I have leaving interviews in my last week.

I was the only placement student in Bristol but I have built good relationships with colleagues from all different departments and offices. RSM hold the Southern Sports day which I attended early on in my placement, and it is here that I led the netball team to victory, in what was a very competitive game. The Bristol office also has a very good social committee who put on events every month. My favourite so far was the escape room game, a team bonding challenge requiring you to solve problems to escape a locked room within an hour. These socials create greater integration amongst departments.

I was able to live at home and not pay rent during my placement year, and the cost of socialising in Bristol is something I am used to. Work socials are often paid for, potentially with a small contribution. I know that living centrally to Bristol can be expensive but commute costs would be low. My commute to work took about 45 minutes in bus and car. I would spend roughly £15 a week on petrol plus £15 a week on bus travel. There is also the option to cycle in Bristol, with good cycle paths.

It is my home town so I have to say I love it! I haven't experienced many nights out this year as the majority of my friends are at uni.

I set up the netball club which plays every monday night. We are a winning team and have medals to show for it. I used to write match reports on a weekly basis which were often enjoyed by the office. I believe there is also a men's football team within the office. The social committee create many opportunities to participate in and with Bristol being a vibrant city, there is always plenty to do and places to see. Even heading to Bath would be good for people new to the city.