Summer intern in Customer Banking Solutions Review

I really enjoyed my internship at Barclays. The culture here is so friendly and welcoming. It completely changed any negative perceptions I originally had about the banking industry. Everyone I met was inclusive and easy-going. I expected the environment to be a lot more corporate and serious. On top of that, the work I was given was enjoyable, I had a fantastic team who were always there to help and support me and all of the interns I met were lovely.

My colleagues made me feel welcome from day one. I was able to seek advice and support from them whenever I needed it and by the end of the internship they felt more like friends than colleagues. I generally felt so grateful to have been placed in such a fantastic team.

My line manager was brilliant. He rang me even before I started the internship to have a chat with me and answer any questions I had. This made me feel as though I was already being welcomed into the organisation and calmed my nerves about starting at a new place. Whilst I was here, he continued to support me and was extremely encouraging. I couldn't have asked for a more amazing line manager.

I wasn't as busy as I would have liked to have been. However, I think it's unreasonable to expect to be given a lot of serious work when you are only here for 9 weeks. Most projects take place over the course of several months. I therefore believe that the graduate scheme will be different since you spend 6 months rotating in each area.

I helped contribute towards an important project. It felt good to actually own something. I was also so pleased that the work I did added value to both my team and other teams. It was also great that I wasn't treated as if I was an intern, but instead a permanent employee. I think this makes you feel a lot more valued.

The main skills I developed from this internship were time management through managing my own diary and sticking to deadlines, communication, since I was constantly meeting and speaking to new people in the organisation and of course, networking skills. In addition to this, I believe that my report writing and public speaking improved dramatically through the work I was required to complete.

Really relaxed and friendly. People were busy getting on with their work but still always happy to stop for a chat and a laugh. Also, I was always offered help and support if I needed it. It seemed as though nothing was too much to ask. It also felt as though there was no hierarchy which was brilliant. Managing directors would happily speak to me and make time for me. They were genuinely interested in seeing how I was getting on.

In an organisation as large as Barclays, there is always going to be a few mishaps. However, overall, I believe that the internship was really well run. The Onboarding process was really efficient. I had a phone call back from HR within three days of attending my face to face interview.

For an intern, I definitely thought the organisation invested in me. There were opportunities to learn new skills such as coding. Also, what particularly stood out to me was how centred the company were around well-being. This is just as important as financial investment. Regular drop-in sessions with HR helped us feel supported.

The majority of interns are offered a graduate role on completion of their internship. If you work hard and have a positive attitude, it is more than likely that Barclays will want you to come back to work for them. It's great to be able to have a taste of the organisation via an internship before committing to the graduate scheme.

The social scene was great. Of course you get out what you put in. If you put yourself out there and attend networking events with other interns and take part in activities outside work, then you will have a fantastic social life whilst here. I really enjoyed socialising with the other interns and look forward to seeing those who return for the graduate scheme.

Obviously London is really expensive. However, I believe the pay made up for this. Also, receiving an accommodation allowance helped tremendously. Socialising in London is fantastic though, there's always somewhere to go both day and night. I was out most evenings and every weekend I had arrangements. Had a great time.

In Canary Wharf, it's mostly bars (both inside and outside bars). However, after work these are so busy, particularly on a Friday, so it was really sociable and enjoyable. Canary Wharf is close to Shoreditch though and there are some great nightclubs there. The transport links in general from Canary Wharf are decent, so it isn't difficult going out in a different area.

There were always activities to get involved in outside work. Not just with the other interns but also with the graduate cohort, various teams and even with employees from other banks. There were activities that suited everyone whether it was going for drinks, bowling, going for dinner. There was always opportunities to get involved.