Associate Review

The Internship was excellent, with exposure to a wide variety of tasks and interactions with a number of high-profile stakeholders. It gave me the opportunity to understand the requirements of a permanent role and the culture of the organisation. At the FCA there is a clear focus on a good work/life balance, with performance measured on the quality of output, not just the amount of time spent in the office.

The vast majority of employees at the FCA are willing to give you time, even if it is meeting for a coffee to discuss their role within the organisation. I was given a variety of responsibilities from the outset, presenting to senior managers and engaging with CEO's of firms to name just a few. You are treated like a member of the team and not just 'the intern'.

My line manager was excellent, delegating responsibility for daily support to another senior member of staff. They worked collaboratively to ensure that I had the level of exposure and meaningful work streams that I desired during my 10 week stay. However, it is also up to the individual to identify opportunities for additional work experience. I managed to secure work in other departments during my time at the FCA through networking. Therefore, an element of self-guidance should not be underestimated, so long as your manager is aware of your movements.

I was busy throughout my internship, although this did vary according to the number of projects being managed at any one time. Also, with longer pieces of work there will be times when you are busy and times when you are awaiting input from other departments/individuals. Quite often you will manage your own time, so organisation is key to finding the right balance.

I was given plenty of responsibility throughout my internship. One week I would be working on a project that would have ramifications for the entire department, and the next week I would have the opportunity to participate in meetings with senior stakeholders, both internal and external. The variety of responsibility is what I found to be most exciting. At no point during the 10 weeks did I feel that my view went unheard, so be prepared to chip in and challenge if you feel that something is incorrect or could be done better.

The training consisted of three days of rather arbitrary inductions. However, this was necessary in order to prepare you for a fast-paced environment that contains a lot of technical information. I had the opportunity to develop my report writing skills, which will aid my final year at university. Furthermore, I participated in a lot of data/information analysis, applying both quantitative and qualitative methods. I will leave with greatly improved Excel skills for sure.

There was a relaxed atmosphere in the office. Everyone worked hard and with varying styles, although it was always a collaborative open space. If you have a sweet tooth then the FCA is the perfect place, with regular flows of chocolate, cake and sweets making their way in to mark a return from holiday or a birthday.

The FCA never deterred you from attending additional workshops or from broadening your exposure to various divisions across the organisation. I was fortunate to attend many events held at the FCA with the likes of the Bank of England. [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] There were a large number of e-learning courses, some mandatory and some optional.

Very appealing - With the vote to leave the EU, the FCA will find themselves at the forefront of shaping new financial regulation and will be responsible for ensuring consumer protection in uncertain times. I certainly hope to return and continue working for the FCA, as the development opportunities are excellent.

Yes - I played a lot of football with permanent members of staff and will continue to do so after my internship. There are a number of social groups looking for new members. Plus, there are plenty of places to go for drinks with colleagues after a long day in the office.