Summer Intern Review

The internship was very enjoyable. The learning curve is steep and you are working in a real commercial environment so you learn lots of new things every single day and apply them. This ensures that every single day at work is absolutely exciting and helps one to get out of bed in the morning.

After just 2 weeks in, I already had a very strong sense that my colleagues genuinely values my work and input. There is no restriction placed on the importance of your opinion just because of your place in the hierarchy. It is absolutely common to have senior leadership actively seeking inputs from interns on crucial matters.

Everyone that I have worked with has always been there standing ready to give me guidance whenever I need it, but while allowing me the space and opportunity to try things out myself so that I can learn in a more deep manner sometimes. I certainly feel like I have the space to learn the ropes at a comfortable pace.

Personally, I have been quite busy - but this has been a great thing because the reason for my being busy is that I have been entrusted with many tasks that are of very high importance and often, of high urgency. Often, you can decide for yourself how busy you would like to be based on your willingness (or lack of) to take on that additional task.

I feel that I was given the ideal level of responsibility. I was certainly entrusted with several tasks that were very important but at the same time, this was done responsibly and only because I had proved to my managers that I am capable of taking on the responsibility. Responsibility needs to be earned and is given very appropriately.

The skills I have developed (predominantly Excel) are going to an absolute game changer for project work and data/statistical analysis (of which there is a lot in my course) that I undertake. This however, also applied to soft skills. The mode of operating in a professional environment requires much more consistency and ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. And this will come in handy in university and far beyond.

The atmosphere is generally very focused and can be quite task-oriented at times. This is largely because my internship has coincided with a very busy period for my team. However, unless the person next to you is on the phone to a client, they will always be more than willing to answer all of your questions with a smile and will be generous with their time. There are also many areas, both on my floor and on different floors, to take a break and engage in some fun with colleagues.

My internship was organized fantastically. With the summer internship, this comes down very largely to the specific team and manager that you are working under. I was fortunate to have a manager who gave lots of thorough consideration and attention to ensuring that my internship is a very fruitful experience for me (despite the fact that he is quite senior and very busy most of the time). In terms of centralized HR initiatives and events, everything is very well planned and executed as well.

The biggest investment that my firm has made in my personal development is time. The time that so many of colleagues, from the bottom to the very top of the hierarchy, have set aside throughout my internship to coach me and check in with me, is absolutely invaluable. I have definitely developed a lot in this internship, thanks to the time that my colleagues have spent on me.

Very. I would be very delighted if I receive the opportunity to return to my firm for the graduate scheme. The opportunities to learn and experience different parts of the business are immense. Most importantly, most (if not all) of my colleagues are very happy with their jobs and genuinely passionate about it. This makes future prospects here very attractive.

The interns in my division would make an active effort to get together at least once or twice a week - either for a post-work drink, or lunch, or even a get-together at someone's house. There have also been a few social events after work organized with my other colleagues and I have enjoyed connecting with them on a more personal level there.

Coming from Leamington Spa, the cost of living was definitely much higher here in London compared to what I am used to. However, I did expect this. It was a massive help that the canteen in our building is quite well subsidized and serves fantastic food. This allows us to save the effort of meal-prepping, without burning too much of a hole in our pockets.

Canary Wharf is not particularly known for its nightlife. However, the pubs in the area are actually very vibrant and quite good fun to get drinks at with colleagues after work. Some days in particular, like Friday evenings or days when cricket/tennis matches are on, can actually be great fun in the summer because everyone comes out.

This really comes down to one's own proactiveness and initiative. There is plenty of opportunity to get involved in activities outside of work if you are interested in seeking them out. It depends very much on what one values and enjoys. My colleagues were excellent in giving me suggestions of things to do in London (as I am new here).