Summer Finance Intern Review

Tasks generally rotated through the month with a lot of work being dedicated to updating the forecast with actual data to feed back to individual functions at month end. I was based in the cost base team so compliance with external auditors was very common. attending lots of meetings and building good relationships within the finance team also happened daily.

Given this is my first role in a finance function, I firstly feel I have developed my team working skills as many of the tasks that needed to be completed required inputs from teams across the business or even within the function. I also developed my numerical handling skills and was given the ability to apply my academic skills on a more operational level.

Yes, the team I was placed in where all keen to set me new tasks and gave me a broad range of tasks to complete. Given some tasks repeat each month a I was given the responsibility to complete these tasks month on month. I was also given the opportunity to create some documents that will be used to guide those in the future in completing a month-end process.

Once I was allocated a team they were incredibly supportive. Functions are split into smaller teams and my team were very accommodating and made sure I always had something to do, this made sure that during my short time in the business I was able to see as much as I could. If I ever had any questions I was always able to find someone in my team to ask and felt comfortable asking too.

BAE has a great 'catch-up culture' wherein if you would like to speak to someone in your function that you wouldn't necessarily cross paths with you are free to do that and they are happy to talk to you. I was able to speak to quite a few senior finance leaders and they offered very useful career insight.

My internship gave me great insight into a manufacturing finance function and challenged me to learn new things I wouldn't have been able to do in many other place. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience.

Yes

BAE is a great company to work for so any opportunity you have to work here take it, in the application process always come very well prepared and be honest about your experience. You'll meet lots of great people along the way make sure to network as much as you can, networking creates a great advantage and its easy in a company as large as BAE.