Technology Summer Analyst Review

I really enjoyed my summer internship with Citi. The work is very challenging but there is plenty of help and encouragement - they really want you to improve your skills and succeed, and there are lots of organised events to help you meet other interns.

Most of my team were actually based abroad, and had way more experience than me but they were all really nice and spent the time to help you whenever you were stuck. Obviously its tough with them being abroad to feel close but there was a really relaxed vibe to our daily conference calls.

My manager and I met near the start of my internship and we agreed that I am the kind of person who learns best independently without being able to lean on others for help. That said, he spent at least half an hour each day with myself and the other two interns in my team to check how we were doing and if there were any blockers. HR made their presence known if you needed any support at all too.

For my internship, I was given a project to complete over the 10 weeks so had to pace it completely myself. Apart from the odd computer problem (but honestly, who doesn't have that in a technology internship) I had so much work to do for both my individual and group projects.

Despite coming in with less than the average intern in terms of knowledge and experience, they gave me a project just as challenging as anybody else. I was working on a specific area of functionality in a new high profile client application - they completely trust you to work on the same work as anybody else (just give you a bit more time and assistance to complete it)

Coming in with so few technical skills, I was definitely at a disadvantage, but the environment was perfect for me to improve them. I've learnt new languages and how to use new technologies, and furthered any previous knowledge I had which will definitely help me in my degree and future technology career

I was sat on the main technology floor, which is definitely a lot more relaxed than the rest of a bank stereotypically is. The people around me were always happy to chat, but there wasn't so much of a going out culture than some of the other areas. That said - our group of interns bonded well and socialised together a lot, despite being in different teams.

Before starting I received regular correspondence from HR to keep me up to date on the security process, what to do on the first day, etc. Once we arrived we were given access to a mobile app which updates you with all of the intern specific events, and our manager had our project briefs completely sorted for our first day with our teams.

As I mentioned, I was definitely lacking the technology skills many other applicants or interns may have had. However they believed that I would work hard and had a good range of soft skills so gave me the opportunity to do the internship. I've learnt so much in my time here so far and I feel that they really did invest in my future by giving me this chance. There is a big theme throughout the company of doing and trying different things to further your skills and development and I feel that it is a great place to learn.

Right now I'm not sure whether or not I will be offered a job at all, but I hope so!

From the first training day we really bonded well. We set up a whatsapp group so at least a few of us all meet for lunch every day and have also socialised loads outside of work, from the obvious nights out to the theatre or art galleries.

As someone not from London, I found the costs of living (including rent and socialising) to be really high. That said, you get paid really well so its more than possible to live in a nice place nearby and socialise regularly (honestly, its more the work than the cost of drinks that will stop you going out).

Its London, so there is a great variety of things to do no matter what you're looking for. Specifically in Canary Wharf, there is obviously a huge shopping centre and plenty of bars so there is more than enough to do within a five or ten minute walk. Alternatively, the DLR gets you into Bank in ten minutes so its also really easy to get to anywhere else in London if Canary Wharf isn't your scene.

You tend to make your own opportunities, but you'll find that a lot of the people on your internship will be on the same page as you, and keen to get involved and make the most of your summer.