Spring insight week Review

I learnt a lot and got a very good insight into Citi and my division. The presentations were very informal and interesting, especially the one on AI and the one on crypto currency, and everyone was very friendly. The food was always very nice and the hotel was also nice and conveniently very close to the office.

The analysts on my desk made me feel valued and so did all the recruiters and many of the other staff. Some of the staff on other desks could have put in more effort to come back to me when they weren't busy after I asked to work shadow them for a short period.

I received a lot of guidance from the analysts on my team and I think this is because they remember how little they knew at the start. The buddy scheme was very good as i knew I would always have someone to contact if i needed extra support or guidance.

From a career point of view, the assessment center workshop was extremely helpful and i will look back on my notes for any future interviews. The information i learnt and researched on my desk will be helpful in any economics modules i may choose to do in the future and will definitely help when applying for jobs either in Citi or any other bank.

Very good welcome book given to us at the start with a detailed schedule. You always knew when and where to be for different activities and there was a great recruitment team to contract if you were unsure. One tip would be to send out the email including Mondays schedule/what time we had to be at citi a bit earlier as i know a few people were worried they hadn't been sent it yet on the Friday before.

During all the presentations and networking events the atmosphere was very professional and friendly. Some of the floors for work shadowing were less friendly however i think that was just due to them being busy at that particular time and the staff seemed a bit stressed. Overall the atmosphere is what you would expect at a large and busy bank.

They gave me a lot of resources to research from and my desk were very happy to help me during this and ask me questions to ensure I'd learnt it (not like a quiz, more of an informal chat). Again some people could have been better at coming back to me during quieter periods after i have approached them when they weren't able to speak to me.

There is a lot of work shadowing during the week where you get a very good understanding of the day to day work on your desk. There were many opportunities to go and work shadow other desks through your line managers connections or by getting contacts through networking. Many opportunities to talk to different people from analysts to directors and ask them about their roles.

We had a presentation outlining the culture (or their aims for the culture there anyway). One thing i can say is that there is no segregation between people in different roles as managing directors were usually very willing to speak to analysts or me and their desks are not separate either which was great.

As I have said, I learnt a lot about my division and about citi that you could never learn online. Not only do you learn about your chosen division but there are plenty of opportunities to speak to and network with people from different divisions and learn more about them. The welcome pack also included information about all the divisions.

If you lived outside of London you were provided a hotel. This hotel is very nice with a great buffet breakfast which was included and it was very close to the office and tube stations which was convenient. Our meals were always provided and very nice and meals not provided are reimbursed.

The networking events included a meal and drinks with junior staff which included a meal out which was great and paid for. There was also drinks and food with the senior staff. These events were 2/3 hours long which was plenty of time to speak to everyone you wanted to see.

As I said, the food was good, paid for and they were quite long periods of time. The staff were all friendly and approachable and there were lots of people there to network with, be it within your own division or others.. There were staff of all levels all willing to answer your questions.

We had a presentation outlying volunteering activities (a range from quizzes to 2 week abroad helping firms or communities). However I am not aware if there were any social activities as none were mentioned, but as everyone's hours were long I'm not sure they would have time for social events after work anyway!

Definitely. It has been very informative, after this week you will for sure know if this is the industry and company for you! It was great that all meals, travel and accommodation was payed for and i have very much enjoyed the week. Well worth the application process which is actually quite short!