Functions Spring Week Review

It was an incredibly useful experience that really gave me a much better understanding of the different roles and what working for Barclays would be like. Each role was explained thoroughly and we were able to ask any questions we had about the specific roles or more in general about life at Barclays.

Everyone was hugely helpful and really willing to help us fit in and also to take questions and give us a better understanding of the firm. At no point did it feel like any of the Barclays employees weren’t happy or willing to answer any of our questions or just simply have a chat about their experiences.

During the Insight we were supported all the way, the recruitment teams organisation of the the event but also the support from members of all business areas was exceptional. It was always made completely clear where and when we had to be at sessions and it meant I didn’t feel any worry about being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The week has given me a wide variety of real life skills that I will take forward with me into the workplace and beyond in the future. It has made me think of things I had never previously considered and will leave me with skills I can use at uni and beyond.

In general the week was incredibly well structured, the only change I would make is to have the shadowing sessions before the choice of area to apply for summer internship was chosen as after this we had a full picture of what is involved in the roles we are interred in

The atmosphere was really good amongst the other spring interns but also with all of the people giving us talks, or being available for networking sessions. Everyone was happy to chat and very easy to get on with throughout the week as a whole. The sessions were interesting and well managed to be enjoyable and informative

I feel like there has been a high level in investment in us, not only would I say that finding out more about the inner workings of the bank has developed us but also for example the session on leadership and working within teams was really useful for many aspects of life.

The insight has given me a much better understanding of what it would be like to work in the company. I now feel as if I have a much better understanding of the day to day workings of each business area and in general a much better feel of what it would be like working for Barclays

The insight really helped me understand the culture, I think it is one thing to read about a company’s value and culture online but to actually get to speak to many people from the firm I can see the really important the people within and the firm itself buy into the common culture

Before the insight I did not have a very good idea at all about the specific area of my future career but now having heard from a variety of different areas I have a much better understanding of roles and a much better idea of which roles are suited to me.

We were given a lump sum amount to cover our expenses whilst also there was the opportunity to claim expenses for the journey to and from the spring week. We were also given adequate money for food at lunch and breakfast or provided with breakfast and lunch directly which was really good.

Yes we had many opportunities to network with people from across functions. All of these people were also really open to chatting with us and taking our questions as well as often happily giving our their emails for any further questions we may potentially have about the firm or a specific roll.

The networking opportunities were really useful and informative, as I have previously said the employees were very willing to answer our questions and speak to us. In terms of the social events these seemed more to be incorporated within the day for example during lunch and breakfast when we were able to socialise with other spring interns

Yes in my work shadowing I was fortunate to have an employee who talked about the social opportunities outside of the working environment and also talked about the possibility to get involved with all sorts of activities such a sport outside of the office with other Barclays employees which was really good to hear.

Yes I would definitely recommend this event for anyone unsure of their career path or simply interested in the different roles within a bank like Barclays. For me it has been hugely informative and exciting and I think that it is our benefit others in an equal manner to how I have been influenced this week.