Finance analyst - credit cards Review

Being in finance would not be the specific placement I would have chosen, but I've enjoyed the placement nonetheless. Its not a role that I would apply for in the future.

Initially, about as valued as you can be as someone who starts with no experience in the field. I like to think that in the later weeks I have been more useful and had a better grip of tasks, and so my team feels that they are more able to trust I will do a decent job.

Given good support. If I had any questions they would be answered swiftly. If I needed help there was patient guidance.

Generally not very busy, as most of the team were wrapped up in a large, time-sensitive forecast. This meant that they would have been to busy to explain tasks in detail, and so sometimes I wouldn't be set any. I was proactive and found jobs to do from other contacts within the group, and put in lots of work for an interns' team presentation.

I was asked to do a large competitor analysis report, however this was too difficult and I felt that my progress had stalled, so I spoke with my line manager who agreed I should pass it on. That aside, I was trusted to do jobs properly that were within a capability that I feel was suitable.

The skills that I have learned and improved will likely not impact on my degree. In later life, I do not see myself entering into a role which will require these skills by-and-large either. However, simply working 9-5 everyday has seen an astronomical improvement on my organisation and routine-forming, and I have shifted from relative laziness and disinterest to a genuine eagerness to improve and learn. I am incredibly appreciative of how much I have developed personally and matured during this placement. It has probably changed my trajectory for next year in terms of study.

Atmosphere has been warm: very friendly within my immediate team, although I wish that I had chatted to more people on my floor from other teams. In terms of office wellbeing, the group cannot be faulted. You are very well looked after.

Initially quite poorly. It was not until well into week 2 that I was fully up and running with regards to IT, which was an essential part of the placement. This was inconvenient at the beginning. After these issues were resolved, the remaining weeks were problem free.

I essentially just learned on the job; if I needed help it would be available, even if that may have detracted from others' important work (which is an observation that I have made and not an impression that was given off). This method of learning suits me well.

If there are not any clear, field-related prospects available to me towards the end of my degree, then I would definitely flirt with rolling onto the graduate scheme, which can provide a broad range of experience across various roles within the group.

Since I was placed in Cardiff, there were only 2 of us interns in the city. I specifically asked to be placed in Bristol (which has considerable numbers of interns), and so I was disappointed to be moved elsewhere, especially as I know Bristol interns in similar roles who stated a preference to be in Cardiff. That said, being essentially alone here has certainly been a part of my personal development this summer and so I am torn on whether I would go back and change it if I could. Since I didn't do a more sociable placement I can't compare how I would have developed in that atmosphere. I would have had more fun if I had been around more interns. Colleague-wise, the summer social was good fun but beyond that there hasn't been much. A score of 2 answers the question directly, but is not representative of my cost-benefit analysis of having a social scene available.

Rent was paid for as part of the placement so the only cost of living really was food and essentials. I am, however, horrendously reckless with money, so despite weekly payments I found myself scraping through until payday on a few occasions. That is through my own fault, and anyone living sensibly will find it more than affordable. Within my budget I have been to 3 large festivals this summer.

Only went out once on a night that wasn't really my scene, but I'm sure that if there had been more interns here or I had made a deeper effort to socialise with other citizens then I would have been out more to experience the nightlife. Apparently it's a decent night, better during term-time when students are around, but in all I can't comment.

I was immediately introduced into the weekly 5-a-side football games, which have been great, regular fun and a good way to socialise a bit. If I had been fitter/more organised at the start of the placement I would have joined the local football club for which a few from the office play. Other than that I haven't seen too much, so liking football has definitely been helpful.