HR Summer Analyst Review

Really enjoyed the Barclays HR summer internship. It was 9 weeks long and really busy the whole time. Had high levels of responsibility and great exposure to senior employees of the banks. The culture was fantastic and I learnt so much – I could get involved in whatever I was interested in. Threw us straight in at the deep end, but had great support along the way.

I was placed in a great team during my internship. I felt comfortable asking any questions, everyone was happy to help. Barclays are really keen on personal development and that is strongly portrayed in the internship. I was given real responsibility from day one and was able to take lead on several projects.

I received constant feedback and was not afraid to ask anyone for it. My manager was really supportive from the word go – they invest a lot of time in developing the interns, making sure we learn as much as we can over the 9 weeks. Everyone I met during the internship, regardless of corporate title, was happy to help and offer advice when asked for.

I was extremely busy every day for the full nine weeks. My team had already planned and allocated me projects before I arrived. Therefore I could get straight into my work. I also had the opportunity to get involved in any areas that interested me just by asking! I took lead on several projects and my busy scheduled improved my time management skills.

I was given great responsibility. It is very flexible at Barclays, I took lead on my projects and my opinions and ideas were strongly valued. I was not just doing ‘intern work’; I was doing the same work as my colleagues around me. This is the great thing about Barclays – they throw you in at the deep end so you get a great amount of responsibility from the start. This is the best way to learn.

I learnt a vast array of skills over the 9 week internship that will benefit me in my future career. Along with good corporate / business etiquette, I gained the following skills that will be useful in any future career; time management, excel, organisation, innovation, project management, building relationships with stakeholders, data analysis and so on.

Barclays have a great environment – completely different to the traditional stereotype of the banking culture. It was very relaxed, everyone worked hard but also had a great time and were rewarded when they did something good. The environment is extremely supportive and definitely follows a ‘work hard, play hard’ culture. The particular team I was in posed a very creative and innovative environment.

The internship was extremely well organised – from the start to the finish. Interns had events organised throughout and our managers were constantly kept up to date with everything we should be doing, therefore they knew exactly what we should be doing and when. Barclays has an events app that interns have access to prior to beginning the internship. Here you can chat with interns in the same or different departments to you, and get to know each other before starting the internship. It also has recruiter contacts and a breakdown of the 9 week internship – excellent!

Barclays invests a huge amount into their summer interns. Prior to the internship, we are given the opportunity to state preferences of particular areas we would like to work in and this is matched to our skill sets. Along with their managers, summer interns also receive a buddy and mentor. All of which you can contact before the internship which is really helpful. Barclays are very keen on personal development. Your manager will set your objectives and go through them with out about how you can go above and beyond in order to impress. Interns then have a mid and end term review where feedback is given. Training is provided during the first week of the internship. Networking is strongly encouraged during the internship to help you gain a deeper understanding of the different areas of the bank. You may have the opportunity to be considered for the graduate scheme at the end of the summer internship.

You may have the opportunity to be considered for the graduate scheme at the end of the summer internship if you have proved yourself as a motivated, hardworking individual – meaning you do not need to apply for the graduate scheme. The prospects of going from the internship to the graduate scheme are good and internal mobility is highly regarded.

The HR interns all got on really well and tended to do at least one social event outside of work every week. There are also many events during the internship, put on by Barclays, where interns have the opportunity to network. The internship was in Canary Wharf – where there is a great social scene. At the end of the internship, there is a ‘farewell party’ put on by Barclays for all of the interns across the bank.

As everyone knows, London is an expensive area. However the internship is paid well and therefore is fully do-able for the 9 weeks. Barclays provide support in housing/rent recommendations, and the canteens are subsidised making breakfast and lunch cheaper. Canary Wharf is quite expensive for socialising – but tends to be worth it, the internship is really fun!

There are many bars in Canary Wharf, the social scene is great! Canary Wharf tends to get very busy after work. Nightlife/clubs I do not know – the lifestyle tends to be dinner and drinks after work with the other interns, and you are spoilt for restaurants and bars within minutes of the building.

Interns were able to get involved in a Citizenship challenge where, in groups, we were partnered with a Charity and we were required to increase their social media presence. There were breakfasts and events after work put on for the interns. Other than that, interns tend to organise their own events/activities outside of work. The Barclays event app that all interns have access to has information on the surrounding area of things to do. London is a great place for having things to do at weekends.