Summer analyst Review

The summer internship program was well structured and organized. We received training in financial markets as well as other areas that were applicable to our line of business. Various networking and social events were organized so that we could grow our own network and meet fellow interns. I really appreciated the effort made at the senior speaker events, I felt that I learned a lot from the insights we received. The internship was challenging and rewarding, and I would recommend it to anyone!

My manager and the team that I worked in made a real effort to make sure that I understood my role and where I fitted into the team. They were always willing to answer any questions that I had about the internship or the business as a whole. We were also assigned a buddy during our internship - this was a great way to get help and advice from someone who had been through the internship program. No matter what position people were in (VP, ED,MD) they were always willing to spend some time with me - something I really appreciated considering I was an intern.

The internship was a very hands on experience. I was given a project to complete over the course of 10 weeks which impacted various stakeholders across the firm. It required me to build a strong knowledge of the product and service my team offered. All the team were very helpful when it came to giving me help and guidance despite how busy they were. The best thing about the project was that it actually added value!

During the first 2 weeks I wasn't very busy because I was expected to learn about the organization and what my team did. I had to learn a lot of technical knowledge which took some time. Once I had settled into my role I was given more work. I had to manage my time so that I could network and build on the knowledge I had of my line of business.

The deadline for my project was set at the beginning of the internship. This meant that I was fully responsible for completing it on time and communicating with the relevant stakeholders. My team always offered to help if I encountered any issues, but it was down to me to get it done. I felt that the more responsibility I took on, the more skills I developed and the more I got out of the experience.

My degree is related to banking and finance so the knowledge and skills I developed throughout the internship will help me when I return to my studies. Learning to prioritize tasks, use my time efficiently, and communicate effectively are all skills I picked up during the 10 weeks. I certainly picked up a lot of excel skills too!

There was a good work life balance in my team and line of business. Everyone worked hard, but was able to get out of the office at a reasonable time. Some days I was required to stay in later than usual to get work done. Everyone is friendly and willing to help. There is no sense of superiority amongst managers - people are always will to spare some of their time to explain what they do.

The internship was very well organized. There were senior speaker events, networking events and social events. A real effort was made to integrate the interns into the organization. Since the firm recruits off the back of the internship you get a good sense that they invest heavily in their interns. Important dates and events were communicated to all interns on a weekly basis.

The first week of the internship was dedicated to training. I received comprehensive training on financial markets, excel skills, and presentation skills. The firm invested a lot of time and effort into networking events and speaker events. We even had a talk from the CEO!

Future employment prospects within the organization are very appealing. If you get offered a job you are required to complete the graduate program which exposes you to different areas of you line of business. This enables you to get a good insight into the different teams, and where you feel you would fit in best. The ability to choose my career path is something I really value!

There were lots of social events organized for interns. I made some good friends and got to know people well. There was always a big social scene after work and on the weekends. We were able to share our experiences and help each other out. Shadowing fellow interns was also a great way to work out what areas of the firm I wanted to be in.

London is obviously very expensive, You expect to pay high rent. Socializing can also be expensive in central London. If you plan ahead you can find somewhere to rent that is relatively cheap.

Around Canary Wharf there are lots of bars, pubs and restaurants to go to. Most people go for a drink after work on Thursdays and Fridays, but the bars are also busy during the week. There is always a large variety of places you can go to, especially with the mall near by. Transport links are good from Canary Wharf, so you can always go on to somewhere else afterwards!

There are many societies and groups you can get involve in outside work. I personally played football with colleagues on the weekends. The corporate responsibility programs allow you to help communities in London. They are also a great way to get to know new people. Teams will often organize their own events such as a rowing race etc.