Business Support Manager Review

My internship was in Wealth, working in the UK Private Banking director's office. It was very enjoyable and it gave me a lot of opportunities to experience different areas of the bank and to meet different people. It really helped me get an overview of the business and gain experience quickly.

They made sure I wasn't left out of anything and helped me get a good understanding of the business from the beginning. They helped me get as much experience as possible and they all offered to give me an overview of their role. When I needed further guidance they always made sure to make some time for me.

I was always able to go to my manager for further clarification or for support when I encountered obstacles. Throughout the internships I was given proper guidance and instructions, and was constantly holding 121s with my manager to check on my progress. I always had to complete a series of online training and that also helped me get answers to some important questions.

It mostly depended on the days, some days being busier than others, but I always had something to do. From working on different projects, being in meetings or conferences, meeting new people and shadowing them, working on my charity challenge, etc. The director's office was a fast-paced environment and there were a lot of time when we were faced with short deadlines.

I think it was somewhere in the middle. There were a few projects that I was in charge of and although they came with challenges, it was a very exciting experience. However, there were times when I was working on some pieces of worked that were designed to aid my colleagues in their work.

I developed an ability to effectively communicate with colleagues, especially senior colleagues, tailoring my communication skills to different people, from different backgrounds. I have also considerably enhanced my analytical skills as I had to do a lot of different analyses for the director and that would definitely help me in my Finance degree.

Everybody was nice, it was generally a busy office, with colleagues usually working on tight deadlines. However I enjoyed my time there a lot and felt that everybody was keen to help. Although the director was working with us in the same office, she was really nice and approachable and the atmosphere was relaxed.

From the beginning, I had a clear structure of the internship, with key dates to keep in mind. We had a series of webinars to help us get started more easily and always had a clear idea of what it is expected from us. We also had an induction day which was quite helpful and fun.

There were webinars that we had to attend and online trainings that we had to complete. We also had a charity challenge, being challenged to raise as much money as possible for Children in Need, and that really helped us make friends and develop our skills. Also, I was always encouraged to expand on my network and I met a lot of interesting people during my time there.

The Grad scheme gives you the opportunity to rotate to up to 3 different roles in your chosen area of work, which could give you a lot of experience and could help you develop different skills. You also have the chance to complete a range of professional qualifications depending on the role.

Definitely. I was lucky enough to be given accommodation by Lloyds and that is where I met most of my of my friends during the internship. The charity challenge was also a great chance to bring people together and help them make connections. There were also some occasions where I went for drinks with my colleagues and the director.

I was based in London, so it wasn’t cheap at all. However, we got a London allowance, being given a little more money to help us with our expenses. Overall I think the salary and the fact that they gave us accommodation was good. There was always new to do and I have never done the same thing twice.

Pretty good, I worked in Mayfair for my second part of the internship and that area tends to be on the pricey side. I mostly enjoy going to pubs and bars and there were a lot of places to choose from on that – some of them were really affordable as well.

All the interns were taking part in the Charity Challenge and a lot of times we were working on that – both during and after work hours. There was always something to get involved with, depending on your preferences, you only had to ask. There were also a lot socials and events organised.