Intern Review

I really enjoyed the internship. The program was very immersive. As interns, we weren't just left on our own. We were given a lot of support from the intern team as well as the placement managers.

Throughout the 8 weeks, I felt that I really got to know my colleagues. This was made possible by the placement work but also by the off site and casual meet ups outside the office.

My in-line manager was always generous with his time and made sure to meet with me regularly. He made the effort to get to know me, my plans for a future in finance and even put me in contact with other people in the bank.

Some days I was really busy while others I was quite free. The eLearning and intern projects kept me engaged.

I would say that I could have been given more responsibility. I understand this is difficult for interns, however, due to our lack of experience and short time spent in HSBC.

The communication skills will be helpful. I believe that I was able to build my confidence and learn how to prioritise my time better. These will all be useful in my degree, especially with deadlines.

Everyone was really friendly and welcoming. They did not look down at interns, but instead treated us like any other employee in the bank. The office was not stifling or overly-competitive, but there was a good level of professionalism that fostered a well-balanced working environment.

The intern team made the internship very enjoyable. This was particularly felt during the induction, development and celebration events. The speaker series was also useful. The organisation was not as strong in my placement. I think it was a bit difficult for my placement manager to assign me specific tasks and give me responsibilities due to my lack of experience and short time spent in the bank.

The Development Day, eLearning, Looops and Speaker Series all showed how the company invests in its interns. They invest a lot in our performance as well as our self-development. This is also seen in their emphasis on feedback between colleagues. The regularly meetings helped my development even during the short time of 8 weeks I spent in the bank.

The intern program may lead to a graduate offer, which can later on lead to a permanent role in the bank. As a large international organisation, there is great potential to grow within HSBC. From speaking to other people, it seems that it might not be particularly easy to switch between certain parts of the bank, but it is possible.

There were intern social secretaries who organised many socials, including a ping pong party and bowling event. These were great opportunities to meet other interns and get to know their own roles within the bank.

Living in London was quite expensive. This includes the cost of food, living and travelling.

Nightlife in London is great. There is always something to do without having to travel too far.

Yes, the flexi working hours allowed me to come to work earlier or later. This allowed me to get involved in other activities.