HR Intern with the Global Functions Talent Team Review

The people were great, really friendly and always helpful (despite being busy themselves) and the work was interesting.

Everyone made me feel really welcome from day one, and people really made the effort to get to know me personally. It made for a great atmosphere.

My line manager was always there when I needed her and I was never made to feel like I was bothering her. I was really given a lot of time and attention.

It depends on the projects you're given, but mine kept me pretty busy without preventing me from arriving and leaving at a reasonable hour.

I was effectively in charge of both my projects, although I had the safety net of knowing I could always turn to my line manager and colleagues for help.

It was a great introduction into the corporate world, stakeholder management etc.

The people worked hard, but there was always someone available to talk to and laugh with. Also, everyone brought in cakes and biscuits! More importantly, everyone was really nice and willing to help.

You could tell Shell have invested a lot of time and money in their intern programme and you really felt like you were being taken care of. For instance, for my final presentation, everything was booked for me (the room, projector and the assessor etc.) all I had to do was turn up and present, which made the whole experience a lot less stressful.

They sent us to Aberdeen for two days to get to know the other interns and Shell better, whilst throughout my time I was asked to complete various courses (e.g. one on handling confidential information). In terms of development, my colleagues supported me in becoming a competent professional and I learnt a great deal from them informally, for instance, by just asking questions (which they really encouraged) and requesting feedback on my work.

Their graduate scheme looks really interesting and appears to provide a perfect foundation for a career in Shell so I was really happy when they offered me a place. Also, I found that graduates are really well looked after in Shell and the ones I spoke with were really happy to be working there.

As an intern my buddy made sure I got invited to the Energie events (the graduate network) and I attended a few, which were quite good fun, but slightly awkward because the Graduates all kind of new each other. Also, surprisingly there weren't many interns in London, at least that I knew of, but I got on well with the ones I was aware of and we met for coffee or lunch or a drink after work a few times.

I was in central London (Waterloo) so it was always going to be pricey, but with your Shell badge you can get discounts in various restaurants along the Southbank, so that helped.

I didn't really go out very much around the Waterloo area because I had a long commute to get home, but the few times I did go out (with colleagues or other interns) the bars were great. Also, there's usually always something interesting happening along the Southbank anyway.

Yes, there was a group who played football every Friday and three pm, but places went quickly so you had to reply fast to the circular. Also, there's a gym and swimming pool in Drake's Well (the basement) and loads of Shell sports teams I think.