This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
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The Role
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The Company
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The Culture
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
- 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
- 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
- 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
- 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
- 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
- 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
- 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
- 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
- 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
- 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
- 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
The Role
The work flow set by management was consistent and challenging enough to learn and absorb a large quanity of new information. The projects set had technical, analystical and soft elements which allowed me develop both professionally and personally and consolidate my skillset. Progressing through my internship, I was given autonomy in identifying tasks which I could undertake and in this way I felt the impacts of my work on both my team and the clients served. This was balanced by the mutiple social events held by my team and capmus recruitment so I would say I had a very fair work/life balance.
Extremely valued - I could feel the impact of my work in easing the workload of colleagues and fufliiling clients needs. I felt both appreciated and relied upon - I was made responsible for a handful of daily and weekly. I did not feel uncomfortable in seeking and responding to feedback.
My team were supportive, encouraging and honest. I was pleasently surpirsed at how welcoming both my immediate and wider team were during my time at the firm. No question was met with a bad response when needing help and for professional advice, I could rely on them for honesty. Communication channels were always open and the seniors in my department made time for the interns. The collegiate atmosphere sets the firm apart from competitors and I feel as though I could call on them as a solid sounding board.
Workload varied as the role has many adhoc tasks to complete. Some days were very busy and required you to be organsied and prioritise your time. Other days were slower and there was less email traffic meaning you could focus on outstanding jobs. I would say this is a refelction of the changing dynamic of the business needs and all-in-all it was very balanced - I did not feel bored.
For my entry level, I believe I was given a manageable level of responsibility over the course of my internship which definitely exceeded expecations. My manager would set me tasks to undertake on my own as well as the role of indentifying projects within the email chain. You are given the chance to take ownership of your internship.
The opportunities you are given to develop your technical (Excel, Powerpoint, firm-wide software) as well as soft skills (Presenting) will be invaluable in returning to University and in consolidating both my professional and personal proficiency. The firm is incredible in honing staff, not just for their business needs, but for a wider, global impact. Being exposed to clients and on the forefront of regulation has prepared me for entering the financial world.
The Company
A collegiate atmosphere - you are surrounded by various teams of various backgrounds and of various seniorities meaning you are open to invaluable learning platforms. The floor was professional and the work ethic of my team was extremely motivating and cohesive to complete work. They did not fail to have fun and the days went by very quickly due to it being an enjoyable and positive place to work.
Very organised - I was always made aware of where I had to be and what I had to do. The internship was structured in a realistic timeframe where we were able to find our feet, progress and consolidate our skills in an appropriate and timely manner for the mid to end-of-internship reviews. My only issue was the 2-week delay in raising access to the appropriate systems I would be using on a daily basis so I lagged behind in assisting my team.
The company spent a lot of time and resources on the interns in developing them both professionally and personally. The buddy system was great in having a peer to seek advice from. The excel training session was invaluable in consolidating on-the-job skills and a level of proficiency was not expected before joining.
Subsidised/Company Gym
Company Parties/Events
The mobility opportunities were well advertised and welcomed. You are provided complete and honest insight into the process and HR are happy to answer any queries. I believe conversion rates have been lower this year reflecting the business needs but perhaps a feature that is not dissimilar to the rest of the industry.
The Culture
My fellow interns were extremely friendly and a great point of call to call on when seeking advice and insight. There was no feeling of competition between interns for a limited number of places. We often made time outside of working hours to see one another and socialise. In a short period of time, I made long-term friends.
Expensive - the accommodation was difficult to find and extremely expensive. Although the firm offers a financial relocation package, I think greater assistance in suggesting places to stay would be appreciated and valued by those moving to the area. Socialising was also expensive but any events organised by campus recruitment were covered by the firm.
Great - wide range of things to do! You would not struggle to fill your free time in London. Although expensive, the variety of themed clubs and activities cannot be matched. I was often recommended places by my team and I was frequently invited to join colleagues on nights out. There is something for everyone!
I had little involvement with the firm-wide sports clubs but I heard from fellow interns they would often play football after work and this was encouraged by the firm. During the course of my internship, the firm hosted a variety of activity days including a run and a corporate responsibility day which were highlights of my internship in terms of meeting new people, supporting the wider community and in promoting a healthy and wholesome lifestyle.
Details
Internship (1 Month+)
London
August 2019