Summer Analyst Review

Thoroughly enjoyed the experience, met a variety of different people and made contacts. The enjoyment definitely varied throughout as some actions taken by particular team members were not courteous, in my opinion.

In my opinion, it varied between colleagues. Some of the more senior team members were less ready to show that you are valued in that team/at the firm as an intern. However, the analysts and associates definitely provided a lot of help and support all the time.

This varies between teams. Some intern managers communicated with and guided the interns more thoroughly. In my team, a sense of value and positive encouragement was not always provided by the manager. Though they talked about communicating with seniors, it did not translate the same way with juniors. I found these words to be quite hollow. A supervisor is provided on a separate team and this was extremely useful to have someone else to speak to about different areas of the firm.

This also varied but since July/August were busy this year compared to other years, I was normally quite busy. A variety of tasks were also given which meant a vast improvement in commercial awareness and personal growth.

Definitely given more responsibility than initially imagined. By the end, I was the sole junior on a particular project and the responsibility really builds self-confidence and allows development at a faster pace.

Mostly all transferable skills likely to help beyond studies. Excel skills learnt during the initial training and throughout the job will particularly help in my degree.

Most people I spoke to before and during the internship said it was a friendly atmosphere and the reason they stayed in the firm was due to the people. I experienced this and I think the type of people is a plus point. However, openly admitted by a very senior member that a junior role is simply “like a robot.” Not sure about how much people are allowed to personally grow in early stages of the career and much of it is about fitting into a box and not steering outside of it.

Good set up with HR checking in on progress regularly, with a mid-review process and end-review. Presentations provided by every team in GFA which helped greatly in learning more about different teams.

One week of training before the internship starts.

Grad job application process needs to be modernised and updated based on different talents of different people. Seems as though seniors have fallen back on outdated processes.

HR organised socials and interns generally met up regularly.

London is expensive but the pay is competitive to compensate.

Central London so bars and clubs not far.

There is a social club you can join for a small fee per month However, didn't hear anything about this after signing up.