Spring Insight Week - Operations Review

The insight was with out a doubt enjoyable. Lots of the talks were interactive and very enjoyable, so from that point of view it was enjoyable. However, much of the week was just listening to presentations, so after a few days it became quite tiresome. More variety would've made it more enjoyable.

James was very helpful, and was always on hand to deal with any concerns, queries or problems. The staff who came to our panel were interesting and seemed interest in us. The work shadowing was certainly valuable from that point of view, and they certainly seemed to value us as interns.

Whenever I asked a question to Barclay's employees, they were certainly happy to help and offered long and insightful anwers. The networking event was particularly helpful from this point of view, and people were more than willing to provide their advice and insight. On the whole there was a lot of guidance available.

I think they could certainly help with regards to interviews, job applications and other career and personal development opportunities. However, with regards to degree studies and other things I am not sure it will be too relevant. I am certainly glad to have met the contacts I met on this week

There was a clear timetable, and there was no empty time. The speakers who came to speak were well prepared. We had sufficient time to prepare our group projects. However, I feel the type of actibity could have been more varied, to give us a real insight into the workings of operations.

People were friendly, and there was no sense of competition. We worked well in teams when this was required of us. It certainly seemed there was an amicable and pleasant atmosphere between those on the operations insight week, which did not appear to be the case for the other spring insight weeks.

People were certainly receptive to my questions and took time to consider and understand them, they then provide thoughtful and insightful responses. I certainly learnt a lot from their advice and plan to use this advice in my own personal development and career development to maximisie any potential opportunity that may arise.

Whilst the presentations were certainly insightful to help us understand the various TCs, there was little insight into the day to day roles of the employees. Even for the work shadowing, which was certainly insightful, it took the format more of a q&a rather than watching and getting to know what the employee does in their role.

In this regard the process was incredibly valuable, as Barclays' values were emphasised throughout the process. We were introduced to the values and culture, and it was explained to us what exactly these buzz words mean within the context of Barclays as a whole. The speakers reinforced these values as well.

It could've been more valuable if I were to have understood the various different roles within the different transaction cycles. Understanding the transaction cycles is certainly useful and relevant, but I feel an internship or longer placement is necessary to gain further insight as to what type of banking roles or tasks my skills are suited to.