Software Developer Review

When you enjoy the work you're doing it doesn't feel like a job at all. I am having a great time here, the atmosphere is professional but relaxed, everybody is friendly and helpful, I learn a lot about financial businesses and I get to use my previously acquired coding skills and continue to expand them.

The entire team gave me a warm welcome and made me feel since the beginning as an integral part of the team. They always explained after every task how the work I've done will help the clients and stakeholders, thus helping me understand my value and contribution to the business as a whole.

The team has been very helpful since the start, especially while I had to get used to using their software, products and code and their support I was set up and ready to start the actual work fairly quickly. Even after that, they were always ready to assist me with any questions or issues.

Ever since the beginning, I've always had something to work on. Even without new tasks I could always work on improving my previous tasks. However I have never felt overworked. The tasks are challenging and require a lot of thought, but solving such challenges is something I enjoy doing, so I was only feeling stimulated by it.

The manager made it clear to me since the beginning that I was going to be treated just like any other member of the team. I am working on the same kind of tasks as the rest of the team and everything I do will be used throughout the business and by various clients.

Everything I've learned is useful beyond this job. Just as what I've studied at university helped me with this job, what I learn here is also related to what I'm going to do in the future at university. All the skills I've developed here are practical and have a wide range of applications, thus being helpful in any computers-related job.

While the atmosphere was relaxed, it was clear to me that everybody here was a professional. Every person was helpful, but at the same time friendly and you could always have a fun discussion about outside-work subjects and hobbies, as many of us had common interests. Definitely a place I enjoy working in.

A very good balance between the normal work and a series of speeches held by various important directors throughout the bank meant that while I was getting more and more acquainted with my current job, I was also learning about how things work in different areas throughout the bank, very useful for the future.

The start of the internship was entirely dedicated to my training. Experts throughout the bank gave me a good insight of the business and the skills I was going to need. Even after that, I was constantly given the opportunity to learn from directors and developers throughout the bank about their work.

I was encouraged since the beginning to consider the bank's graduate program and by talking to different directors throughout the business I have also learned more about the potential jobs I can have as a graduate, as I am given the opportunity to decide what kind of job and in what area I'm interested in.

Ever since we started we've built a great network between us, kept in constant contact to learn about each other's experiences and organized plenty of fun events throughout the internship. We are certain that we will maintain this network past the internship as many of us might get to work together in the future.

Canary Wharf isn't a cheap area. Restaurants and clubs can be quite expensive. Same goes for accommodation, though most of it is situated right outside Canary Wharf, thus being a bit cheaper. However, the bank has its own subsidised canteens, with a great selection of food and affordable prices.

Canary Wharf isn't an area focused on nightlife, but on business. While there is still a good selection of restaurants and pubs in the proximity, I can't say there are many options regarding clubs. However the good transport links ensure you can get to nightlife-focused areas fairly quickly.

A lot of outside-work events have been organized throughout the internship. I've had plenty of networking opportunities and many optional but fun events such as challenges, visits and voluntary activities. They were all organized such that they wouldn't interfere with my main work.