Intern / summer associate Review

Great flexibility to see all aspects of the FCA. Everyone who works at the FCA is helpful and willing to give you some of there time, so there is never a question left unanswered. Work is varied and you can really make it your own, so you really make a difference whilst on your internship.

whilst on the internship it was really apparent that my work was appreciated by my colleagues, and they were happy to have me there - i wasn't treated as an inconvenience. You are given meaningful work to do, not just the 'donkey' work which I have experienced in other organisations.

I had weekly catch ups with my line manger, and he was always available if i had questions are problems. I also got the opportunity to chat to my head of department and senior managers on regular occurrence - this was really great to be able to speak to people high up in the organisation.

Whilst on the summer internship there was always some work to be doing, i was never bored and constantly being challenged. However, hours are reasonable and work life balance is very important at the FCA. They really focus on making sure you reach your fully potential but are also keen to ensure you enjoy external life at the same time.

During the internship i was given quite a lot of responsibility: speaking directly to firms on the phone and via email, dealing with customers, producing documentation the whole department now uses and carrying out investigations to prevent actual consumer harm. The amount of responsibility you taken on is really up to you, if you want it they will give it you.

Whilst on the internship my manger really encouraged me to attend any training i had an interest in. I attended training any full time starter would need to and also all training given to the whole department as well. They are so many opportunities to learn and improve your knowledge and managers are so supportive of this.

The atmosphere is the office was always friendly and inviting. Everyone on the team including the senior leadership team would always make time for you when they could. The departmental social team was a great way to keep this atmosphere in the office and really helped to bring me into the team.

As a whole the internship was set up okay, however the on boarding process was slow and very close to my starting date. Also whilst on the internship events organised specifically for interns were well ran and interesting but the organisation running up to these events was poor, and needed to be seeked out.

The FCA invests a lot in the internship scheme, firstly with the scheme being a 10 weeks long, which is longer than the average scheme. Also all training you attend whilst on the internship is paid for. another great thing is during the recruitment process they pay towards travel expenses which is extremely helpful for a student.

After being on the internship if you perform well, and your manager recommends you, there is the opportunity to get straight onto the graduate scheme, without the need for another assessment centre - which is amazing. They also offer the opportunity for you to remain in your home team on the grad scheme if you wish.

All the interns spent the first few days of the internship together on the corporate induction day and HR induction, which was a nice way to get to know each other. We also self organised social activities outside to the internship, but the FCA also puts on a celebration at the end of the internship so we can all be together for the last day.

Living in london is of course expensive, especially living near the Olympic park and westfield doesn't help with this. Yes, it is very expensive but i believe a very worth while opportunity to do. It is a paid internship - if it wasn't i wouldn't of been able to afford the opportunity.

Nightlife around west field if okay but expensive and there are only a few options. but the good thing is in Stratford you are on the central line so can easily get anywhere in london and be happy that you will be okay to get home after as the central line is 24 hours on the main days.

The FCA has a lot of social clubs and societies that everyone is welcomed into. A lot of the intern on my scheme joined the badminton club and went every thursday which was great fun. But also being so close to the centre of london there is always an event on that you can get involved in.