Operations Summer Intern Review

I fairly enjoyed my internship at Barclays. The project I was doing over the 9 weeks wasn't necessarily the job I would be doing if I was on the graduate programme or in a permanent role, but I gained invaluable skills from it nonetheless. There were so many opportunities outside of our main task to get involved in the company networks and citizenship activities.

My colleagues included me in all aspects by including me in team activities as well as inviting me out for drinks after work. It really made me feel like part of the team rather than a summer intern who was only there for a short period of time - everyone really made the effort. So many people, including directors, also made the time to have meetings with me and answer my questions.

I had weekly one to one meetings with my manager and mentor who helped me with both personal and work situations. My manager was particularly helpful in giving me advice as well as providing me with contacts in different areas of the bank. Another colleague also provided me with developmental feedback after meetings/presentations which was extremely beneficial in improving my skills.

Sometimes this ranged depending on deadlines where I had to take shorter lunches and work later to finish things off, but I was never bored and always had something to do. I also kept myself busy by getting involved in various things such as the Gender Network, networking in different areas, citizenship/fundraiser event planning etc.

I was given the responsibility of ensuring my main task was completed but there were other opportunities where if we sought them we could take on further responsibility. Where I did so, I was always given the support and advice where I required it. I ensured I took on other responsibilities to develop in different ways.

I gained skills in risk and control analysis which will help me in any sort of career I go into after university. I also developed my confidence and public speaking throughout the internship which will be invaluable on a personal level as well as in my future career. I would not have the level of confidence I do now if I hadn't taken the opportunities throughout my internship.

On some days it was generally busy and so many were focused on their individual work. There were however days where there were recognition meetings or a team buzz session where the whole floor came together. There was also a World Cup competition where the teams decorated their desks and dressed up so this brought out the competitiveness in everyone and so there was a great fun atmosphere.

The task which we were to complete as an intern cohort was organised but there was a lack of communication and so not all interns received the correct instructions so we were all doing the work to different levels of detail which led to it having to be redone and so some time was wasted because of this.

I had to complete all mandatory training, but outside this I had to create my own opportunity to learn. I met with various colleagues across Finance, Risk, Compliance to find out what their day looks like. I also arranged for some work shadowing sessions which helped me to grasp a knowledge of the sort of jobs I'd be doing if in a job at Barclays.

The Glasgow Campus is expanding and so the jobs will be doubling. This was particularly appealing but Barclays place a huge importance on internal mobility and will help you to move your career in the direction you want to go and so I see great employment prospects for career progression.

Other fellow placement colleagues regularly went out at weekends after work for casual drinks or to a nightclub so there was a good social scene. We also went out for dinner and other trips so everyone was included and there was plenty options to choose from to suit everyone's likes and dislikes.

As Glasgow is a city things can be more expensive but with this in comparison to places like London it was very cheap. I lived at home so I didn't have any living expenses, but from talking to the other interns, the cost of renting some student accommodation wasn't that expensive.

There are a lot of different places in terms of nightlife in Glasgow so there are plenty of options to choose from so you can always find somewhere that you really enjoy. If a nightclub isn't your scene there are plenty of nice restaurants and cocktail bars - as well as some secret bars to try.

There were so many opportunities if you actively sought them; I led a charity fundraising event and organised a cheque presentation with the local children's hospital, I helped out with the Gender Network in the development of a newsletter, and I volunteered to deliver a LifeSkills session with fellow colleagues.