Spring Insight Student Review

The insight was put together online due to the quarantine situation, meaning that it was probably not as enjoyable as a normal week within the London offices. Nevertheless they did a good job of providing interesting content and exposing us to talks by various members of the department. Also got to attend other webinars in business areas I didn't apply for as they were only online video conferences.

I felt like they made an effort to ask the participants for whatever questions they have and make sure a lot of them were answered at the end. The online format does make it less personal however so we didn't get to chat directly to the employees, rather just a webinar.

They called upon a variety of different people to provide their insights into what we should be doing at this point in time to help support a future career. These people also answered sector specific questions which covered pretty much all of the information I needed in order to apply for the internship next year.

There wasn't much opportunity to develop skills as such, because we only spent an hour and a half online with people from our chosen business area. What was useful was the information about what they look for in candidates as those are now areas we can focus on improving in to help get into a future career.

The way they put the insight together despite cancelling the original week due to quarantine restrictions was commendable in that they were still able to offer some sort of business exposure. There were two webinars each, one per chosen business area, which seemed to work well. There could have been more interactive sessions.

As I was unable to talk to the other insight participants due to the video calling format, it was hard to discern their opinions and that can only be gained by connecting with them on LinkedIn afterwards. The people I did connect with all had positive opinions. The people giving the talks were very friendly.

The investment was more over the whole cohort rather than individuals as it was not necessarily involving the input of the participants individually. There could perhaps have been more individual interactive learning, but I recognise the difficulties that poses for the format. They are however inviting everyone to the offices post-quarantine.

Despite being online, the talks encapsulated very well what certain employees spend their days doing and how the company culture ties in to themselves enjoying their job. The technology sector in particular could have had more of a case study of some work they are doing for example, but there are time and people constraints.

The company culture was covered by most employees during the talks.

It helped me decide that I would like to apply for the internship scheme and try and achieve a place. From this if a place is achieved then applying for a graduate role is likely. Nevertheless I still have two years of a degree left so I haven't made my mind up.

There were no expenses to reimburse as we all did these webinars at home via a video chat application. If we visit the offices in future I imagine they will reimburse the travel costs associated with that and even any accommodation; they previously did offer to help reimburse for the original week

We could try and connect with the employees that gave talks on LinkedIn and ask further questions, which is in fact what I did and one even agreed to call with me which was very useful. We did not however get to meet other employees. They did provide a range of employees giving talks though.

Not particularly due to the constraints of being in an online video call with over 100 people at all times. Perhaps this will be rectified in future.

Somewhat; they didn't talk about their outside life much but I don't think many participants were particularly interested.

Definitely, especially if this takes place without quarantine restrictions.