Intern Review

Overall, I think the virtual experience was still very rewarding and information packed. Of course the fact that it was virtual did take away from the natural feel that would be experienced by actually visiting the office in person, but being in the comfort of my own home was also quite relaxing and I was not on edge as much. The functions on microsoft teams enabled all the meetings to take place smoothly, and the programme was organised very well.

Even though there was a relatively large group of us, the fact that the virtual experience took the form of a microsoft team meeting rather than a lecture where a member of staff talks at us for a duration of time made it a lot more intimate and allowed us as a group to feel more comfortable. Everyone had something to say at some point, and the flexibility of being able to either say it on video, audio or though the chat bar ensured that everyone was comfortable enough to express their opinions and be listened to.

The team that organised the event did NOT fall short on providing us with information to navigate ourselves through the assessment centre. I took 8 pages of notes just on method alone - so much information and guidance was given, and what helped even more was that it wasn't necessarily tailored to the FCA's application process. It showed that the team was invested in not only the possibility of us pursuing a role with them, but our personal development as a student who is new to the working world.

The skills that were talked about can be applicable to degree studies for example personal development, but not necessarily limited to that. The skills that we developed through the programme were tailored into enhancing our professional selves (rightly so!) and becoming the best person we can be in the pursuit of future roles and career development. So it didn't necessarily provide assistance with the skills needed for degree studies, but that's more than okay, as I'm sure we didn't join the programme for degree skills coaching - we joined for career advice and skill development in that area, and the team did amazingly in delivering that!

All in all the virtual experience was extremely well structured, following the hours of a working day more or less. However, I found that especially in the first day and the assessment centre, it was almost too intense - I found that the 5 minute breaks and the lunch break were far from enough for me to process the ton of information I had previously received, let alone relax and regenerate enough to move on to the next topic of discussion. Perhaps in the future the breaks could be extended? Everything else was perfect though

The atmosphere was extremely welcoming and so lovely - our main host, Mariam, was so lovely and friendly with us which made me feel at ease within the first couple of hours, as were the rest of the team we met throughout the programme. Conversation between us was also encouraged, which took the pressure off and made it less tense, especially considering that we were all trying for one of the two places available for the summer internship next year.

The FCA clearly did their very best in assisting us in terms of personal development and training. The amount of information provided was so so useful, and the effort that went into reviewing each of our assessment centre tasks and then drawing up a report individually to show us the parts which we need to improve was absolutely amazing - even touching. This is especially evident when considering that other firms invite you to either an interview or assessment centre, reject you, and then give no feedback because they 'don't have time'.

Of course, it is hard to visualise exactly what it would be like within the firm, and the atmosphere in the FCA workplace because the experience was virtual, and we were inside the comfort of our own homes, but this was no fault of the team that organised the event of course - being the result of COVID rather than poor management. However, speaking to a multitude of people that work at the FCA did provide me with a rough idea of what the FCA staff is like (they were all lovely)

The team provided us all with SO much information on the company values and core skills that the company are looking for. At this point it is pretty hard to not understand the type of person the company would like to hire. I saw in most of the people that spoke to us throughout the programme that they cared about people other than themselves (otherwise they wouldn't be helping out on a programme like this), and it was lovely to see the company values clearly reflected in the people that spoke to us

I already had my ideas about where I want to work/ pursue a graduate role with, but the whole experience just consolidated and solidified my opinion, and equipped me with the skills and information I need to do so. I fully intend to pursue a career here at the FCA (as I did before), but after hearing the stories of other staff members etc, my heart is set on securing a graduate roll here! Thank you so much :)

There were no expenses that had to be reimbursed because the experience was virtual, and we were not paid for the internship, but I think that's perfectly okay, as it was only 3 days, and the skills that they gave us and the information they provided was invaluable and a price cannot be put on that :) Thank you for the experience!

The whole experience was an opportunity. The team did not shy away from encouraging us to connect on linkedin or reaching out via email. The notion of staying in contact with each other was a recurring theme throughout and I don't feel nervous to reach out and ask for assistance from the people that organised this event in the future. I intend to keep in contact with the other students in the programme and build a network starting from there.

The whole experience was an opportunity. The team did not shy away from encouraging us to connect on linkedin or reaching out via email. The notion of staying in contact with each other was a recurring theme throughout and I don't feel nervous to reach out and ask for assistance from the people that organised this event in the future. I intend to keep in contact with the other students in the programme and build a network starting from there.

Not necessarily. I am aware that there are opportunities within the firm, and the team did inform us about the good work-life balance and how understanding the management in the firm is regarding personal life etc. However, apart from that I didn't hear much about further activities that take place outside the firm and the way that the firm encourages employees to take part in activities outside of the workplace. There was a mention of the possibility to get involved in giving back to local community (CEO project i think?)

Absolutely, this virtual experience was so so rewarding and anyone can benefit from this whether or not they wish to pursue a career at the FCA, or if they are unsure. If they are unsure, I think that the team that was in charge of this event will not fault in convincing them to attempt to join their programmes in the future. All of the team members were lovely and welcoming, so any type of person can enjoy it