Mr Review

Given that I am particularly interested in entering the financial industry, this was very enjoying for me. I got to meet with customers and work with money also. However, customer service did seem to me quite repetitive so I much preferred the financial and banking aspects of the placement I undertook.

Though I did feel like I made a valid contribution to the workforce, I also felt as though my work was overshadowed by others and as though I didn't matter. There were some points where it felt like they did not treat me like an employee, not allowing me to do certain tasks and almost making me sit on the sidelines.

I did indeed have an insight day before my placement but the guidance really was on an as and when basis given the many practicalities of a bank. However, it was a shame that I rarely got to put this guidance into action as I felt very restricted with what I was allowed to do.

I do feel particularly interested in undertaking an Economics degree now but I feel like the tasks I got to do were mainly to do with customer support, not really related to the future I see for myself. There was some valuable information passed down to me by the company, however.

It was very well-structured initially, moving briskly from customer support to finance. However, this soon fell apart and the stitched nature of it became rather ragged as I was, again, pushed to the sidelines, only to watch and not get involved in the activities and tasks that I genuinely wanted to do.

It was quite fun but overall, it is a financial industry where everyone is dedicated and hardworking so of course it would be dull. I, again, also felt like a stranger, not quite fitting in to the diligence and high-order tasks of the people at the company when I would have really liked to.

It initially felt like they were interested in developing me into a person fit for the industry but it soon became apparent that they really did not care as if they realised that I would not be doing any beneficial and proper work for them. This was particularly disappointing, I feel.

Since I was soon pushed to only watch, I did not get to enjoy all the tasks that I would be able to do if I had a full-time job in this company and this was, again, particularly disappointing. Perhaps they do not trust younger people with such tasks when we need the experience.

Perhaps by taking on more of an observer role, I got to understand how the people interact and their primary aims and goals in the company that I may not have been able to understand if I was out there, doing the tasks and activities that they were doing with passion.

The content of the day in helping to decide my future career path was incredibly valuable as it made me realise that I would like to do an Economics degree when I grow up and it made me realise that perhaps mathematics and banking is the field I would like to enter after.

I had to travel to Canary Wharf for this so I was reimbursed my travel expenses to get there. This was particularly nice of them, given how the expenses of a few weeks of travelling can rack up quite quickly. This was a good aspect of me working there too.

Networking opportunities and meeting other employees was probably the highlight of the experience. I got to understand the people I could be working with in the future, understanding their motives, aims and goals, and understanding what drove them to choose this career, ultimately making me realise that this is indeed the career for me.

There were not any social events but there were plentiful social opportunities within the workplace to meet with the people from all the different groups and to meet with the people of different professional levels in the company. They were very friendly, despite pushing me to the sidelines for majority of my time there.

No, I did not really find out much about any such activities.

I think, if banking and financial services are what you want to do in the future, this may be a good insight for you. However, if you are unsure or perhaps uncertain, then definitely steer clear as it will only be for those who are absolutely certain on working in such an industry.