Spring Intern Review

Despite the Spring Week having to go virtual, I absolutely loved the experience. From coffee chat to interactive case studies and a group project through to fitness challenges, the 4 day experience was far beyond what I expected and I came away really feeling as though I had learnt about the culture of Rothschild & Co and what it would be like to work within the Global Advisory division. A truly fantastic experience which I will cherish for years to come.

I felt highly valued. The recruitment team were available throughout the entire programme and this was made evident through constant email check ups and video calls. I also felt valued by the rest of the firm. For example, we were invited to join online fitness classes with the regulars and that really made me feel welcomed. Finally, each individual who we networked with showed a clear desire to help and subsequently I had many virtual coffee chats with firm members.

We received tonnes of guidance and support. Prior to the programme, we were in regular communication with the recruitment team and we were provided with our buddies and project team mates in advance which helped create a supportive environment. During the actual insight the guidance was also brilliant. My assigned buddy had 2 calls with me to go over an area of the M&A project which I was stuck on and the family culture was really emphasised to me throughout.

They will assist me undoubtedly. The M&A project assigned to us required us to work in teams, research company profiles, analyse the viability of a deal and use numerical data to back up our points. As a student studying both economics and languages, this is bound to help me. When studying microeconomics, for example, I will benefit from the numerical skills I developed and when studying languages I will benefit from the teamwork skills which must have improved my communication skills.

The insight was so very well structured. Again, despite the programme being virtual, I was flabbergasted at just how organised everything was. Prior to the programme we received an agenda for the programme and this set the precedent for the week to come. If we were to have a case study at 9am then it began at 9am and this was very impressive given the technical challenges. The programme was also structured in a way in which it was both fun and challenging.

The atmosphere was really brilliant. Despite the virtual environment, I ended the programme making friends or at least virtual friends who I have stayed in touch with since. There was really a positive vibe in which all the participants were proud to have made the cut (51 participants out of 3500 applicants) and all the employees were proud to be guiding the talent through the process. I really felt at home despite being online (and at home) but it is hard to explain. Rothschild & Co is like no other firm I have interacted with. It is no wonder the average tenure for employees is 13 years.

The company invested beyond what was required. For out technical skill set, the firm employed Fitch Learning to give us a three hour technical workshop to improve our skills in preparation for the group project. For our personal development, we were assigned buddies from the firm to help walk us through the ins and outs of the firm and any difficulties we were navigating. Finally, and perhaps most importantly. The recruitment team invested in our mental health through providing us wellbeing sessions such as online yoga and by being friends to us.

It could not have been more insightful. The whole week centred around a team project in which we worked in groups of 5/6 to produce a presentation pertaining to a hypothetical merger between two firms. This was the core role of an investment banking analyst. We conducted due diligence by going through news etc, we conducted financial analysis by going through the balance sheet of each firms and spreading comps etc and we then presented to senior employees which I assume analyst's do on a daily basis when justifying decisions etc. It really helped me to understand if I would enjoy the job.

Massively. From the family archives sessions through to coffee chats.

There were tones of opportunities. From assigned chats with our buddy through to coffee chats with 2 bankers on 2 of the days. There was massive scope for networking and during the programme all bankers seemed willing to reply on linkedin, have a call or just help us with any difficulties we were facing with the project. There were also opportunities to learn from very senior individuals through webinars and we heard from the Global Co-Head of Industrials.

Coffee chats- 5 interns with 2 bankers and held on 2 of the days. This was a great opportunity to hear from members of the firm and really get to connect with them. Buddy chats- these calls were almost like mentorship calls. The buddy of mine supported me throughout and after the programme on any difficulty I encountered and he was a great chap. Virtual quiz and drinks- despite the programme being online, the team made sure that the social element remained intact.

I would recommend Rothschild & Co insight any day of the week. I have been fortunate enough to have interactions with other firms in the city and Rothschild & Co really blew my mind. The firm goes above and beyond in securing future talent and the family culture is really unique. I throughly enjoyed the experience and am fortunate enough to be returning next summer as an intern. I highly recommend this programme for anyone who wants to work for a leading bank but also in a nice environment.