Spring Intern Review

Everyone else doing the internship was easy to get on with and supportive of each other - HR made it clear to us that there were more spaces on the summer internship than there were spring interns, so that we were in no way competing with each other for places, which definitely helped to bring about this atmosphere. Fun events such as intern drinks on the first day were organised. The team project was enjoyable to work on, and although we sometimes had to work late to perfect it, this was almost representative of what an analyst job would involve.

The analysts that we met and shadowed were engaging and interested in what we were doing, as many of them had been through the same programmes themselves. They even offered advice to us, totally unprompted, on what would be beneficial to include in our presentations. Senior bankers took time out of their days to watch and comment on our presentations - a sign of how valued we were as they are all busy people.

A fair amount - the mornings and afternoons were filled with structured sessions, including targeted training sessions. After these, we were expected to work on our presentations as a team, for which we received initial information packs and some sort of guidance as to what to include, but there was a deliberate lack of a definite structure as this allowed us to personalise our presentations and put emphasis on the areas we considered the most important. Furthermore, both bankers and HR were more than happy to answer any questions we had.

We were taught many of the skills needed for investment banking, even being given a shortened version of the training given to summer interns and graduate analysts. We then had to apply these skills (such as valuation skills) to a presentation on a potential M&A deal, so that we made sure that we knew how to use the skills we had been taught. These technical skills will be very useful going forwards in the investment banking sector, although less useful for my degree. The information were were given on how the financial world works will be more useful in my degree, and the generalist skills developed (teamwork, networking) will be useful in all areas of life.

Very well structured - we had a timetable detailing every session and when we were expected to work on our projects, giving us a good mix of self-driven work and more passive work. Our programme covered all areas of the Global Advisory division, and more than just that, making sure that all boxes were ticked.

Everyone was sociable and friendly as well as being hard-working, such that even when we had to work late to perfect project work it didn't feel like a chore. All employees were very supportive and took a genuine interest in what we were doing - many had done the same programme themselves. There wasn't a competitive atmosphere among the students, and, despite that fact that it involved hard work and challenging concepts, it was still hugely enjoyable.

A large amount: we were given a shortened version of the training that summer interns and graduate analysts are given, and HR were keen that we proceeded to the next step, namely an assessment centre for the summer internship. Many employees took time out of their days to engage with us, and it was very rarely 1-on-25, instead being split into pairs or smaller groups for shadowing sessions, or having several people who took on varying roles in a deal present a case study to us.

To a great extent. When shadowing analysts, they gave us examples of materials that they had worked on and showed us what they do on a daily basis. The hard work that went into the presentations was representative of what a full-time job would be like; and through the large amount of exposure to people working in the company, we were able to judge what working with these people would be like.

We weren't given a talk on exactly what the company culture entailed, and this was very deliberate - we were expected to come to our own judgements through exposure to people all around the company. This was normally in a one-on-two or two-on-a small group context, and so you were given more than enough time to ask questions, to chat informally, and to form a perception of the company's culture.

It was hugely valuable in providing an insight into the world of investment banking at a pure advisory investment bank, and especially into the role that we would be taking on at a place like Rothschild. It is unfortunate that other sectors of the financial services world (hedge funds etc.) do not offer similar programmes, as then it would be easier to judge the relative merits of each sector - but this programme certainly has pulled me further towards investment banking.

Travel and food expenses; I live close enough anyway so didn't have to be put up in a hotel.

Included a lunch with analysts on the first day; several shadowing sessions with analysts; and an afternoon tea with more senior bankers involving one-on-two conversations and a rotation around the tables. Other employees were more than happy to chat over coffee if we contacted them, and analysts enthusiastically responded if we had any other questions during the week, either over LinkedIn or in person.

See above for networking opportunities. As well as these, we had social events set up for the interns, including drinks on the first and last days.

We were given talks on the charitable projects of Rothschild & Co, and even participated in one ourselves, helping year 9 students make decisions over GCSE subjects, A-level subjects, and beyond. Through talking to employees, we found out about the networks that exist within Rothschild & Co, such as the sport society.

100%