Project Assistant Review

There were aspects of the internship I enjoyed, such as spending time talking to the team, and investigating what it's like to work in Consumer Finance. However, on the whole the tasks I was given largely consisted of editing powerpoints and making excel sheets. I did not find many of the tasks I was given insightful or stretching, making the overall experience long and boring.

I attempted to engage with the team, especially when my line manager took annual leave. I had to go to others to ask them for work, or how I could assist them and only 2 out of a team of 21 gave me anything to do, which again meant editing powerpoints and excel sheets. I just felt like the team didn't really acknowledge me or know why I was there.

My line manager was supportive in that they would come and have a chat with me every morning to see if I had much work to do. However, when they were in meetings etc. I was sat with nothing to do as the tasks I was given would only take me a short time to complete. I felt my manager was competant and approachable, however I didn't felt very trusted or believed in as my work was consistently checked, there really wasn't much room to really get stuck into things by myself.

I have been here 34/50 days and I can't think of a single day in which I have not at least had 2 hours not doing anything. I was hoping to be busy every day with all sorts of tasks given to me, but it was really a case of me bugging people to give me something to do.

The tasks that my manager and others gave me, were tasks they could have done in their spare time, things such as typing up minutes, editing powerpoint slides. I was not given any real responsibility. I was given a project to work on with a fellow intern in Cardiff that has just not been taken seriously and meant that any level of responsibilty or importance was minimal.

I have been exposed to certain professional skills for which I am grateful, such as how to professionally design a powerpoint pack, or how to professionally design an excell pack, and how to conduct/behave in a conferance call. But other than this, I can't say I have learnt much about the Lloyds Group, or Consumer Finance and have not really been given the chance to develop specific role related skills. The most I have learnt is that finance isn't really the career for me.

People generally worked in silence which meant I felt some of them were unapproachable. However on the whole, I felt confident enough to spark up a chat with some of the staff, but most of them were in conference calls all the time, so I felt on my own. The office in terms of professionalism was generally relaxed, I could have my phone out on the desk, and didn't feel the need to dress up very smart, simularly I could go for my lunch when I wanted.

This was the most disappointing aspect of the internship, in that very little was planned for me at any point during the internship. I had a project that was never fully explained or taken seriously, but other than that I would come into work everyday wondering if I'd be given things to do or not. Because my manager knew I was going to be interning at least a month before I arrived, it would have been so much better if he'd have arranged a detailed plan.

There was online training and various booklets given. There was also an induction event that explained the vision of the business that I appreciated. However, as I repeatedly told my manager and other team members that my main goal was to be as fully emersed in the business as possible and experience lots of different areas of the business, this has not been acheived. I am spending one day in a different department next week- but to be honest I still don't understand most of the work that the team does, nor am I aware of what other areas of the business do. I have had to rely on other interns to explain their roles.

I think for interns eligble for referral to the grad' scheme, there is a high chance of referral, and I've heard some good stories of the grad scheme. The only major issue is that you can only work as a graduate in the department you intern in, which sometimes isn't your first option. For example, you could apply to work in Retail Banking, end up in IT and are therefore only eligible to work in IT as a graduate which I think is unfair. There is a strong gruate support network, and the benefits are good. But due to my exeriences as an intern, I am put off working for the organisation.

There was a really strong support network in terns of intern peers and graduates, with plenty of Facebook groups, and events to get involved with, to be honest there was no excuse not to get involved! That was probably the highlight of the internship, the support network also meant you could talk to peers about other areas of the business.

I worked and lived in Edinburgh, as a Scholar, Lloyds Banking Group provide free accomodation, which was student halls about 40 mins from where I worked. I loved the accomodation, and loved the city, but Edinburgh was more expensive that I thought! It roughly costs £5 for a pint. However the bar/pub scene in Edinburgh is strong and vibrant, I would 100% recommend interning here, especially if you're not from Scotland as the little differences, such as selling Haggis literally everywhere, and copious amounts of IrnBru products are charming, The city feels safe, and public transport is great. Additionally, the summer internship falls in line with The Fringe festival, which is amazing, and there are plenty of free shows if you're trying to save your pennies!

The pub/bar scene is very vibrant and varied, I've lived in Nottingham, Sheffield and London and I would say Edinburgh was better than all those combined, Can be very pricey, I'm yet to find a cheaper pub other than 'Spoons, I have only been to one nightclub, which was dreadul, and many of the locals will tell you clubbing in edinburgh is awful. However, I love clubbing and still have had plenty of fun nights.

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, various groups etc were always available. There isn't much chance to be bored in Edinburgh, but things can get costly.