Spring Intern Review

I really enjoyed my week at Rothschild. The divisional overviews were extremely comprehensive and I was able to meet a range of professionals from different backgrounds and of varying seniority levels. I also really enjoyed the volunteering morning at Body & Soul Charity, which was such a unique part of the programme and highlights the firm's commitment to corporate social responsibility.

I did feel valued during my time at the firm; there was a lot of focus on personal development and many professionals offered genuine advice and stayed to answer any questions after sessions. We had many skills workshops such as 'Personal Branding', IT Skills and an Assessment Centre Workshop which enabled us to actively participate and develop soft skills. I felt that the week-long group project really allowed us to gain a practical insight into the creation of a pitchbook; the analytical and presentation skills required as well as teamwork and hours of dedication.

I received a lot of support and guidance in terms of advice when networking with professionals, who were all very friendly and honest. For the group project, I felt that we could have been given more guidance especially with the quantitative valuation aspects, which was difficult for those who had not studied Finance before. However, if we did require help, the HR team and professionals we had met during the week were more than happy to assist.

I developed analytical skills such as familiarity with valuation methods and the structure of pitchbooks, which will greatly assist me in future internships and beyond. There were many opportunities to enhance my communication skills and build my professional network during the afternoon tea with Directors and various networking lunches. The divisional overviews gave me an in-depth insight into not only Global Advisory but also Restructuring and Private Wealth.

The insight was very well structured - we adhered to the schedule provided at the beginning of the week. Each of the sessions provided an in-depth overview of the division followed by time for questions and there were more interactive elements such as the Equity Advisory and Coca-Cola merger case studies. A highlight of the programme were the two work shadowing sessions in different sectors; these were extremely useful as two students were assigned to an Analyst, allowing for a more informal discussion and chance to ask questions.

The other programme participants were very friendly; it was interesting to see the range of backgrounds and universities represented. The small class (25 people) also made it easier to get to know everybody. The professionals that I met and the HR team were genuinely supportive and willing to answer any questions that we had and overall, I gained an insight into the collaborative, honest and hard-working culture of the firm.

There was an emphasis on personal training and development. We had many practical skills sessions which included a 3 hour in-depth overview of Investment Banking on the first day and a session on 'How to Read the FT' delivered by a Rothschild professional who shared his personal tips for commercial awareness. All professionals really tried to answer all our questions and ensure that we left with a clear understanding of the business and any technical terms.

I was provided with an insight into the working hours, culture and analytical skills required for a full time role. The group project was somewhat reflective of the creation of a real pitchbook - the sense of teamwork and valuation required was evident. Many of the groups stayed behind after programme hours and bought dinner back to the office to work on the projects and I felt that this was a true representation (on a smaller scale) of what working on a deal would be like.

There was the opportunity to reimburse expenses up to a limit of £5 each day for lunch, which we were free to go out of the office to eat. A reimbursement form was sent out prior to the start of the programme and we were encouraged to complete it and attach receipts at the end of the week. Travel and hotel expenses were also reimbursed but personally, I did not need to claim expenses as I live in London.

There were many opportunities to network and meet other employees. On the the first day there was a networking lunch with Analysts and it was an invaluable chance to ask any initial questions we had about the firm or the transition from University to working life. On the first night, we had Welcome Drinks at a nearby restaurant which provided an opportunity for students to get to know each other in an informal setting. There was also afternoon tea with Directors which gave us exposure to more Senior members of the firm.

Yes, I would definitely recommend this insight! It was a great week - I learned so much, developed both technical and soft skills and met so many inspiring students and professionals.