Finance Intern Review

The placement was really interesting, and the people friendly and welcoming, however, some things were not explained very thoroughly, meaning that I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have due to having to figure out more on my own than I would have liked, and wasting time fixing things that could have been avoided with more communication.

To start with, being in two different offices, meant that it was hard to get to know many people well, but after a while it meant there were more people I was in contact with and could talk to. The team I'm in is very small so my input and time is valued by them.

I believe they tried to support me, but as they're a small team they can get very busy, so often don't have time to explain things, or explain them thoroughly. I did get some support, and I'm glad for what I did get, especially at the beginning of the internship, but not as much as I would have liked, and had to be proactive about a lot of things.

I became busy when the team was busy, so I either had a lot to do or not much. Saying that there were a few tasks I had that ran over the whole internship, so I always had something I could be looking at, even if it was just reading up on the different areas of the business.

There were certain tasks that I owned which was really good, I got help when I needed it but it was up to me to problem solve and deliver. I did get involved in monthly tasks that go to others in the business. Whatever I did was heavily checked (as it was going to others more senior in the business) and often just part of a larger piece of work.

I think the skill of accuracy will help with my degree, and learning how to be in an office and manage what work you get and have to do will help me beyond my degree. Also, interview skills were something I developed, as well as networking which are both things I think will be invaluable in later life.

It wasn't completely silent, people do have conversations that aren't about work which lightens the atmosphere a bit, but these aren't very often. There was also monthly drinks, which was really enjoyable, however, most people leave early to go and do more work which often brings the mood down even at fun events.

The internship program was very well organised, with a few issues like timing (it was closer than I would have like to starting when we found out the location), but generally really good and informative. When I arrived people were ready for me and had a laptop ready to go. However, access to many of the essential systems for my team hadn't been organised, and neither had passes for the offices I was working in, I had to do these myself!

There were lots of training sessions when I arrived, and online training as well.

I would love to work for this company, and have completed an interview and written documents to apply for a referral to their graduate scheme as I genuinely believe this is a good place to work and develop. However, they have more people going for these places than previous years for my stream, so the competition is a lot harder.

The company put us up together so that was a good way to get to know others, however there were already groups formed, so it really depended who you ended up meeting on the first day that determined the rest of the placement. The other interns on my floor were very welcoming though, and doing challenges with other interns helped to develop relationships.

There is a lot of food places that aren't to expensive around, however, it is London, so everywhere has London pricing.

There are nightclubs around (as it is London!) but they're all very expensive

There were a few events organised by the business outside of working time, such as a softball tournament, that had a free bar and BBQ as well! There is also a lot to do around London so I was never short of activities, and other interns are happy and want to explore as well!