Intern in Wealth Lending Review

Whilst some areas were naturally more interesting than others, the programme as a whole offered a thorough and engaging introduction to Private Banking services

Colleagues were always supportive and friendly. Most of all, colleagues were prepared to give you tasks with genuine responsibility and accountability

My manager was always on hand to give the relevant guidance or advice.

Some days were considerably busier than others - especially if something had be dealt with on behalf of my line manager/ when they were on holiday. The nature of the programme - completing a project of my own - meant that how busy I was depended on my own scheduling and choices

I was given projects and tasks for which I was directly responsible

I picked up skills which beforehand didn't know I lacked. Exposure to a corporate environment takes you out of aiming to be self-sufficient to considering the schedules and needs of colleagues. This holistic approach to project planning was invaluable.

The atmosphere of all of the offices was relaxed and friendly. I could not fault the welcoming attitude of a single colleague I came across. If you work in the City, there is definitely a more formal attitude to dress etc., but in the provinces your dress is at your discretion. There is no enforced sense of hierarchy.

On my line manager's part, the programme was set up very well. Beforehand, I was given a clear set of objectives and guidance. During the placement, I was always aware of the goals I was expected to achieve. However, there were some fundamental problems with the infrastructure of the internship scheme. There was no provision of accommodation, despite the placement being over an hour's travel away. There was no automatic provision of travel expenses (which were later kindly picked up by my department). The expenses system, in the end handled by a third party, was a total shambles; interns were given four different sets of instructions before they received payment for things such as hotels, trains and plane fares.

The company were eager to donate the time and effort of as many colleagues as possible. This could involve time given to develop personal skills, or just to offer a quick chat. There can be no doubt that LBG do genuinely value the time they have with interns and want to have as holistic an effect as possible on them

Lloyds is different to other similar employers in that it does not offer applications to specific roles, but to general sectors of the Bank. This is appealing because of the broad range of career possibilities, but could deter some who are adamant on the sector/ role they want to go into and could end up being placed somewhere wholly different.

Some interns met up for a drink at a cocktail bar in the City, but the sheer number and geographical spread made more events like this difficult. I was the only intern in my office, so contact was rare. If students are looking for the stereotypical hard-drinking and -partying atmosphere, Lloyds really is not the place for them

My costs were somewhere distorted by the fact I maintained a flat in Central London. If interns wished to work in the City, accommodation could be expected to be between £170-£210pw. A pint is ~£4.50. Travel from Central London (with a railcard) is £18.80. Clubbing in London is usually £20 entry, provided the ratio of guys to (attractive) girls is sound. You should be supplied with free alcohol all night with a decent promoter. Failing that, bottles are anything between £250-£32,000.

Is there really life at night in rural Sussex... unless you're a fox or an owl? Nightlife in London is amongst the best in the world. Every night of the week is party night.

Nein