FCO Intern Review

by Foreign & Commonwealth Office

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

4/5
  • The Role
    4.3
  • The Company
    4.0
  • The Culture
    3.6

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

    • It was a fantastic experience to be part of a civil service department that is connected to the entire world and to be involved in work that can impact the UN, the EU and bilateral relations with countries everywhere.

    5/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

    • I got on really well with the people who worked in my office. We had a good laugh and I really learnt a lot from them about what they enjoyed about working for the FCO.

    4/5
  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

    • My line manager was excellent in keeping on track and on answering all my questions, big or small.

    5/5
  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

    • Most days I was getting on with my project, but there were loads of opportunities for shadowing meetings and going to talks about current international affairs.

    4/5
  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

    • My project was very serious and its outcome will have a big impact on the work the department I was in will have to conduct over the next couple of years.

    4/5
  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • The civil service skills set is very well explained and with my manager I was able to see how everything I had done was a huge boost to my employability skills.

    5/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

    • Generally always good fun, but like any office when there's a big deadline it could be stressful.

    4/5
  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

    • It worked out fine, and there were always things to do. Though there is a large amount you have to organise yourself, which I think is better as it makes you choose the things you want to learn about and experience.

    4/5
  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • I was able to go to a lot of talks and my manager gave me a lot of feedback.

    5/5
  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?

    • Flexi Time

    Subsidised Canteen
    3/5
  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

    • Definitely am going to apply. Just hope I get through!

    5/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

    • Everyone got along great and we all had lunch together, as well as weekly drinks in London's finest pubs.

    4/5
  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

    • Obviously central London is not the best place to live or work on a budget!

    2/5
  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

    • But then London has everything you could want for a social life!

    5/5
  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

    • Many political talks, going to the House of Commons, opportunities galore!

    4/5
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Details

Internship (1 Month+)

Government

London

November 2011

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