Equity and Bond Trade Support Review

Company made quite a good effort to create events for interns and offer chances for us to socialise. Offered free accommodation within central Edinburgh and enough interns (~40) for there to always be someone to do something with. The department gave solid exposure to wider asset management functions and was able to spent a good deal of time getting to discuss many team roles with managers during the internship.

Felt valued, although not able to take on a great deal of responsibility given the nature of my work in trade support

Most interns were informed there manager would provide them with a project to complete during the placement. I was not given one again mainly due to the nature of work in trade support being quite difficult to adapt or veer from routine. Was given support to be a free range intern and explore my own projects though and by the 5th week need very little monitoring.

Depended on the amount of corporate actions to deal with in a given day, but once a routine was followed I could pretty much have most of my work done within an hour and then go about doing my own things.

Mainly performed daily tasks and reports.

The placement had a lot of focus on developing business skills with workshops throughout the weeks which were helpful in allowing me to reflect on my skillset and actively pursue improvement. In terms of career and business knowledge my placement allowed me to get a solid grasp of how funds are set up and maintained as well as the end-to-end trading process without working in a front-office trading role.

Sombre and relaxed. Business casual was the norm.

A lot of preparation was still occurring two weeks before the placement commenced, but once it started the company implemented a very rigid structure and clear communications on what we should be getting involved in. On account of the merger, all interns were set up on new accounts which many of the teams in the office did not have configured, so it took two weeks to gain access to many of the programs needed to perform work duties.

Workshops in Presentations, Psychometric analysis and career development

Still going through a restructuring phase following the merger, so vague outlook on how it will operate puts me off. Work/life balance was very good, and would consider pursuing a future career with the company, but not within my department.

Very Lively Social scene amongst interns and a fair few nights out/ meals with colleagues. Edinburgh Festival started within the final three weeks of the placement so lots to do.

Serviced flat provided by company. Cost of going out was quite expensive.

Excellent nightlife. Many bars and things to go see/do.

Company is in the midst of starting a young peoples development initiative providing activities for under25s which offered some activities. Standard Work sports teams also advertised.