Summer Intern Review

My work and responsibilities have varied over the course of the internship, depending on the specific tasks that I was working on at a given point in time. However, for the most part, I've worked on thematic review projects; while these have all differed in content, they've mostly involved a combination of spreadsheet work, data analysis, coming up with recommendations, and presenting my work to the team I'm placed in.

Formal training sessions have been delivered on presentation skills and self-management. More substantively, my day-to-day work has given me ongoing to develop my judgement and decision-making skills, as well as my ability to analyse information and data. My knowledge of financial services regulation, and the financial services industry more broadly, has also expanded significantly.

Yes - I've been given quite a significant degree of responsibility and autonomy during my internship; although my line manager has frequently checked in with me, it's been largely up to me to decide how to approach/manage my own work. Moreover, the work I've been doing has tangibly contributed to my team's overall goals.

Not only has my line manager been very involved in my work, everyone in the department has been open to talking to me and giving me advice when I've asked for it. Moreover, I feel like all the colleagues in my team have listened to me and adapted to make sure that I can make the most out of my time here. Having a graduate buddy outside my team has also been helpful.

In general, supportive, open, and relaxed.

The internship has been interesting and varied. I've been lucky to be placed in a great team and also to be part of a very social intern cohort. That said, I would say that some of the centrally-organised aspects of the internship (induction, formal training, community project) have been less relevant and engaging that the work/training that my team and wider department have offered. Overall, though, I've enjoyed it.

Yes

I think it's important to have an idea of which area of the FCA you're interested in when you apply - I know there are areas that wouldn't have suited me if I'd been placed there. In terms of interviews/assessment centres, I'd just point out how much the FCA emphasises its values and JEDS in the application process.