Intern Review

The placement overall was full of learning and discovering which made it very interesting. It was also very diverse in terms of people and work which made the whole experience invaluable. I thoroughly enjoyed the 10 weeks that I spent in Lloyds Banking Group and I look forward to carrying these experiences into my future.

Since the first day everyone in the team was very welcoming and down to earth which made it very easy for me to approach them and create a bond from the beginning itself. In this way it was also much easier to communicate about anything I was struggling or needed help with.

I had a lot of support and guidance throughout my internship. I regularly had catch-ups with my line manager which was great in terms of knowing what I should work upon more. Also there were other sources of guidance prevalent to check in with my well-being and to ensure if I was getting the most out of my time here.

The nature of my tasks was more project-based rather than small and complex ones. Hence I could work upon it how much ever I wanted to on a given day making it quite balanced for me throughout my time. Some days I would be busier or less busier depending on any additional events or meetings that I had to attend.

Throughout my time I worked on mainly two projects and I would say that it was good enough of for me to learn a lot at the same time not feel too stressed out about it. It was learning and applying at the same time, which was what I was hoping for.

The skills I have gained on this internship will definitely carry on into my further studies or my professional life. Having to collaborate with colleagues in my team and other interns, getting an insight into how it was to work in an office and a gaining a lot of other skills was a huge learning experience for me. I am sure it will really assist me in my career.

The atmosphere in my office was really pleasant and welcoming. What made it more special was the people and how everyone was ready to help one another whenever they needed it. It is definitely one of the factors that made me enjoy my internship to the fullest. There were events like bake sales and other activities regularly organised as well.

The placement overall was fairly organised starting with our accommodation and travel before the internship commenced and even whilst the internship was on going. We all were told well in advance when our induction was and even who our line manager and buddy was-giving us enough time to contact them prior to the start date.

The company took sufficient time to help us focus on our development goals by asking us what we were looking to improve and through the 10 weeks helped us build those skills. I was also able to attend few events for example on confidence for women which was helpful and also the charity challenge for Mental Health UK was another way to boost our skills.

The organisation has a lot of opportunities for one to advance in his/her career. There are opportunities in various divisions and there are lots of options for both graduates and undergraduate students like myself as well. As an intern we have additional assessments before getting a job with the organisation.

Everyone was nice and friendly. I have definitely made friends for life in spite of being here for not very long. Living with other interns was another advantage as we all bonded much more and even met up with one another after working hours. Everyone came from different backgrounds and had different stories to share.

The cost of living was fair. Studying in the north-west of England, it was slightly more expensive from where I came but Edinburgh itself was a great city and going out whether it was to eat or attend the festival was completely worth it. As we were paid we were also able to contribute to our daily costs.

The city was beautiful and there was a lot to see. The nightlife was also great as our accommodation was situated really close to the centre which had a lot to be explored. During August, once the festival started the shows went on all night and it was really fun to go with the other interns to watch them.

There were quite a few activities that were there including climbing the Arthurs Seat, Calton hill and also there were gym sessions and yoga centres nearby making it easier for us to attend them after work. Also, I attended meditation sessions which were held near by. The festivals and games in the city were also some of the other activities that we could get involved in.