Student Technology Intern Review

Worked with fellow interns to complete two projects set by the Bank in relation to climate change using our data analytics and technology skills. Interacted with other members in the Technology/Climate Hub on a daily basis. HR offered sessions that were overviews of the divisions in the Bank (PRA/Markets/International Supervision) which was very helpful in providing an overview of what the Bank offers. Offered a lot of independence when it came to analysing data and presenting projects.

Training courses and virtual sessions were provided for learning different coding languages and data presentation applications, including R and Tableau. Beyond this, I felt I definitely learnt to be more independent and improved on my time organisational skills. Most importantly, I think the opportunity really builds communication skills, both internally when working with your team to complete projects in tight deadlines and also in terms of networking, which I felt the Bank really supported and encouraged interns to do.

Yes. After being delivered the aims of each project, we were given around three weeks to make slide decks and present them to senior members. We were always given the opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback from our team leads for each project, but other than that was left to complete the tasks by ourselves. As we were interns and the Bank is highly confidential, we were not exposed to all lines of business but I felt with the informative sessions provided, we definitely got a good overview of the Bank.

Leading up to the internship after the competition results, we definitely got support in terms of a Virtual Winners Day, but this was likely because the internship got delayed by a year. I felt much guidance and support from the organisers of the internship who we spoke to on a daily basis and were very useful in providing people to network with. My line manager was also very helpful and welcoming and provided insights on the Bank. In general, members of the Bank were incredibly friendly and it was quite clearly a relaxed and supportive environment.

The company culture is very friendly and whenever I asked someone for a coffee chat, they were always very happy to help and answer my questions. There were lots of events planned, although probably less than usual because it was summer and the pandemic meant fewer people came in, including an Olympic Quiz. Socially there were many networks to be involved in. In the Bank, there is a gym and there seemed to be many sports clubs too.

I very much enjoyed the internship. The opportunity to work within the Bank I found invaluable, as well as the people that I talked to and worked with. I think the company culture is very good and the opportunities that interns and graduates have working on projects that will change the financial environment in the UK (and beyond) is fascinating. It went well above my expectations, as I didn't realise that we would have so much independence, and given the opportunity, I would certainly go back.

Yes

I didn't follow the usual method of applying to the Bank as the Student Technology Competition was held for the first time the year I applied. The advice I would give for the competition is to be imaginative, be commercially and sectorally aware as this will make your entry unique and integrate economics into your response. Saying this, my fellow interns came from a variety of backgrounds beyond economics (physics, biomedicine and social policy), so do not feel that your A-Levels determine whether you can apply.