Risk Analyst Review

My job role was really interesting, I got to work on professional relationships, implementing standards, finance and problem solving. There was also a lot of other IPs in the Leeds office and full time colleagues are really friendly so the social aspect was good as well.

My team were really welcoming and as the placement year went on they started to comment on how they felt that I was a full time team member and by the end of the year I was quite sad to be leaving the team.

I think the support and guidance was a nice balance of being taught and being allowed to go and do research on your own. It didn't feel as though someone was always looking over my shoulder which I really liked, but if you ask someone will help you.

The level of work I had to do would change over the course of the month, some days would be really busy and then some would be more relaxed, but this was helpful as I could then focus on my personal development plan etc.

I'd say I was given a reasonable amount of responsibility for an IP as there's only so much that we're allowed to do. Towards the end of my placement my team started to reconsider the jobs I was allowed to do as they believed I was given too much responsibility.

My presentation and communication skills increased hugely which I think will benefit me in my degree and later in life. I also learnt more about how I learn best in a working environment which will also be helpful when I move into a post-grad job as I will pick up the role a lot quicker.

Everyone in the Leeds office at LBG are really friendly. Some days would be quieter than others in the office but generally there'd be quite a few team members in who you can chat to about anything. There's also a lot of IPs based in Leeds which also helps with the social side at lunch.

I think the placement ran quite smoothly. In my team I was the second IP they'd ever had so sometimes there were lags in terms of trying to define the role of the IP and what jobs I would be doing but that's always gong to happen as a job evolves.

The placement offers a really good salary for the year so I think LBG has shown that they're happy to invest in young talent. Also, if we ever wanted to do shadowing days or anything like that then the company would accommodate for it and pay for any travel necessary.

Once you complete the IP scheme you can ask to be referred to be fast tracked to the Graduate scheme, which you then have to complete and interview for. This makes employment prospects after graduation a lot more likely and you also find out whether you were successful to the scheme before you start your final year of University.

I was really lucky that the majority of placement students in Leeds got on and wanted to go out together. We also completed a charity challenge in which we aimed to raise the most money for Mental Health UK, this meant we would complete challenges and do bake sales together.

Leeds is a student area so the housing is pretty cheap if you get it in the right place and so is socialising (again if you go to the right places).

Leeds is amazing for nightlife, there's something for everyone which was really helpful as there was quite a diverse range of students on placement so if we wanted to do something altogether then we'd have to find something to suit everyone. It's always lively as well due to the students.

We would organise things to do outside of work, such as fundraising, bar crawls, Christmas meals and birthday celebrations. When we started the World Cup was on as well so it was a really good way to get involved with everyone away from the work environment.