GIB Summer Analyst Review

I really enjoyed the programme. Although the Summer internship was completely online due to the sanitary situation, many group activities were organised at the beginning by the HR team to help us building relationships with the other interns. We were also introduced to RBC employees working in different teams. This has been an excellent way to arouse our curiosiy and initiate longer discussions in 1-to-1 call later on depending on our personal interests. Eventually, my experience on the desk was maybe a bit short but highly enriching. I was given various tasks so as to have the broadest possible view on their activities and process.

I was given a "buddy" at the beginning of the Summer programme and I had regular discussions with her during all the experience. I also had regular phone calls and meetings with my team. I was very well integrated. They did their best to give me a rich learning experience making me participate in different steps of the deal process.

With the other interns, I had useful trainings on different work-related tools like Bloomberg and in corporate finance. Regarding my assginments on the desk (virtual), I was given clear guidance and explanations on the context. I also received constructive feedbacks on every work I did. This helped me to better understand and quickly improve. Furthermore, we given advice on how to work efficiently and in a healthy way from home. There were some e-learning on the topic as well.

I was already studying finance at university, but it helped me confirm my interest in financial services. Besides, I better know the specificities as well as challenges of the different teams within Global Investment Banking now. Furthermore, I significantly developed my technical skills.

We had an amazing programme with many activities among interns, a project with a charity supported by RBC, several trainings, a 2-week investment banking simulation, networking events and then a period on the desk. I only wish I could have more time with my team during the "on the desk" period. But taking into account the Covid-19 situation and all its negative impacts, I consider myself fortunate that it only resulted in a shorter work experience with the team, especially considering the activities during the first weeks were interesting.

Considering we were all in the same situation: working remotely. I felt like everybody was trying to compensate this lack of direct interactions by doing meetings and calls. RBC Employees tried their best to be approachable. They took the time to exchange with me and answered all my questions. It was a demanding but also friendly virtual work atmosphere.

RBC invested a lot in us (Summer interns). I had almost 2 weeks of training and 2 weeks of Investment Banking simulation at the beginning. And even after joining my team for the full time on the desk experience, my managers took sufficient time to explain me what they were doing, what was expected from me, to review my work and give me detailed constructive feedbacks. Besides, they tried to give me interesting tasks requiring some judgement calls so that I could learn more and have the opportunity to show what I could do.

I was very well integrated in the team and they gave me a large exposure to the deal flow and process. I was considered a real member of the team. I also spoke with all the members of my team and discussed with other RBC employees who work with my team from time to time. I asked a lot of questions and they took the time to answer all of them. Therefore, I personally think my virtual experience considerably helped me to understand what it would be like to have a full time role at RBC.

I guess it is difficult to say if I had an exhaustive understanding of the company culture since it was virtual. Nevertheless, they encouraged digital interactions and networking. And from speaking with several employees and actually working within a team, I think I have good taste of the company culture. Besides, integrating in our programme a group work on a project to help a charity is a good indicator of the company's values. Indeed, we were supposed to find ideas and deliver a presentation on how the charity could continue helping people and raise money in those difficult times impacted by Covid-19.

Considering we had to work from home because of the health crisis, we could ask to buy some IT equipment to work and get reimbursed (under a limit amount).

Some Q&A panel with analysts from different teams of the Global Investment Banking floor were organized for us (Summer interns). There were also call conferences led by Managing Directors to introduce us to their specific field. We also had a presentation of the Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and I discussed afterwards with the members of the ERG promoting gender equality. All employees were really approachable. And my managers introduced me to some of their acquaintances they thought it could be interesting for me to speak with.