Operations Analyst Intern Review

My team were very supportive, the work was interesting and my objectives were well structured. There was a good emphasis on networking and career plans alongside the work we were set. The pace was ideal as we were busy but not working very long hours (9 - 4 or 5 most days).

There is only so much an intern can do while they're here, but I felt that the work I was assigned was useful to the team and I could see the value in it. I could also see that it was work that was outside of the team's usual work and skillset (such as advanced Excel stuff) so I felt useful.

My manager was very supportive and I was in contact with her regularly. Barclays assign everyone a buddy who is someone in the same team as you, my buddy was very supportive, made a real effort to include me in team activities and make sure I settled in and was busy enough.

It varied, there were a few very busy days where something had gone wrong that I needed to fix, but most days I had enough work to do to keep me busy from 9-4 with time for a lunch hour. Some days were busier (9-5, half hour for lunch) and some days were longer as people would arrange meetings later or earlier.

My main objectives were to produce the guide that the team give to new starters and use as a point of reference after that, which was fairly important, and to produce an excel document that automatically displays some data, which reduced the time it would take to produce it manually from two hours down to half an hour.

I got a really good understanding of how the company was structured and how to network. I also had opportunities to present to the team. The main thing I learnt was how to manage my diary to stay organized, and to be comfortable approaching people to organize meetings with them, even if we hadn't met before.

The team were very friendly and fun to work with. At the start of the internship I tried to be very professional(which was definitely appropriate) but within a week I felt like I could just be myself around them. They included me in all their office jokes and anything social outside of work which was great.

There were a lot of organized activities at the start which was good, and it was well structured as our objectives were assigned to us on the first day with our team. The end part was also well organized with a good bye afternoon tea, however there weren't many activities organized for the middle part and it took a long time to get work laptops at the start.

The team were very helpful because whatever skill I mentioned that I would like to work on (e.g. presenting) they would create an opportunity for me to do that. The internship also focuses on networking skills and there are many opportunities to do this even with directors/MDs. They also encouraged you to explore a range of roles outside of your team.

The internship really prepares you for a graduate scheme in your area. The grad schemes generally have very good career progression rates, and also allow you to try out a few roles. In Operations, you only do two one-year placements on the grad scheme though so there isn't too much time to explore other roles.

We were in Manchester which was great but we were all in different teams so didn't see each other too much throughout the day, so organizing our own social activities was a bit difficult. But if you're pro active and organize events then everyone is happy to come along if they can.

In Manchester there is something for every budget in terms of socializing and nights out etc. The cost of living is not too high outside the city center (I was staying in my student house, which is a house of 6 and is £400 pppm). Transport is also cheap, if you're in south Manchester a bus to town is £2 and if you're in North Manchester a return tram is around £5 but depends where you stay.

Really good, loads going on all the time, pride weekend was the last weekend of my internship which was great. Something for everyone and every budget, and loads of restaurants and bars if you prefer something a bit quieter. Not so many events on over summer though because no students are there.

Yes, I helped out on a stall raising money for an LGBT charity. Also any social activities interns are generally invited along too. I probably didn't explore this as much as I should have so I would advise anyone who takes this internship to make more effort to get involved.