RBWM Penultimate Year Summer Intern Review

I had a very good time though much preferred the second rotation to the in-branch rotation. The work was challenging but not draining and compared with a lot of finance internships the hours were very good. I regularly worked 9 to 5 and that meant I was also able to enjoy a summer holiday in the way that others weren't, especially when you factor in the 3 days off we were encouraged to take.

I felt incredibly valued and the work I was doing seemed to be appreciated by both placement managers. I was always encouraged to try and 'lave a legacy' and 'add value' and that was something I felt I did, improving GEMBA in branch and thus customer satisfaction, and helping to create new insurance products in Canary Wharf that I hope to see on the market one day.

I was given a lot of support and guidance by both of my managers. Generally I am quite an independent worker and prefer to learn by doing as it were, but I always felt like I could get help and advice when it was needed and both managers were always prepared to make lots of time for me, usually at very short notice.

I was never overwhelmingly busy, and would gladly have taken on more tasks. Nevertheless, I suppose I could have been more proactive in searching for more tasks and the extra time allowed me to focus on elements like presentation in a way that I was not able to before, ensuring that my work was of a high standard consistently.

I was given a lot of responsibility, particularly in Canary Wharf. I was personally responsible for the initial research for a potential future insurance product, and then creating the presentation that the CEO of Insurance UK will be taking to the Global Exco. This is a lot more responsibility than I was expecting.

I think a lot of soft skills have been developed such as organisation and professional standards which will likely improve my abilities in all aspects of my life. I have not received much in the way of training although I do feel I have learnt a lot about retail finance which will be invaluable as I begin my professional career.

The branch was quite small but I always felt very happy and welcomed there. Canary Wharf was much bigger and very enjoyable, although the floor was quite quiet, potentially because of the time of year. There was a good amount of banter in both offices but also obviously a lot of professionalism and focus as well which was good.

There were a few teething issues on the admin side with laptops and WiFi and the like, and I know some interns were not able to start the first week. Furthermore, communication about manager 1:1s was, at times, unclear, and I think everyone would have benefited from slightly more communication. Nevertheless, these things are inevitable and generally it was good.

There were some good opportunities, such as the induction and the weekly WebEx, to learn a great deal. I appreciate it's logistically difficult but I would have preferred more in the way of networking events etc., which many of my friends in other banks have received, in order to meet people more informally.

The organisation is very good but the specific programme graduate scheme would be significantly more attractive if there was not the expectation to travel around the country and work in a branch. The culture of the firm is great and everyone is wonderful, but I do think the RBWM graduate scheme could be adapted to have less time in branch and more choice of location for placements.

There was but it was very much self-arranged for most of the internship. We got together for socials on the induction, farewell and charity days but drinks etc were largely self funded. I know this has not been the case on many internships elsewhere, and I think this can often help with social cohesion.

I was in London but I live here and it is expected to be expensive for socialising - this can't be helped by HSBC. I think some sort of relocation allowance would have been good, or some contribution towards travel, to assist with travelling to work/staying in London as the salary is not too high. I think it would be better if it was the first year grad salary pro-rata'd to also give you a flavour of how far your money will go if you are offered progression.

It's London.

We had the opportunity to work on charity projects with each other but there was little in the way of social clubs etc. I'm sure I may have had more luck if I had enquired but nothing was mentioned at any point across the internship so I cannot say for sure.