Spring Intern Review

It was definitely very full on since we were in quite early and finished late, but quite fun and they helped with commercial awareness and technical skills mainly. The ending assessment was a stock pitch in front of the senior leadership. Probably a highlight for me was the shadowing where we basically just on the floor for a couple hours watching the associates work and asking questions. We also listened to various panels and speakers from across the company.

I developed my commercial awareness through an external training session which was provided, on reading the Financial Times. I developed my technical understanding of financials through doing a stock pitch, and specifically how these apply in reality. I definitely developed my communication skills, speaking with other students and employees almost constantly throughout the programme, and it was especially rewarding speaking to senior employees in the company. Overall, despite not expecting my skills to be particularly developed by this short program, I was definitely exposed to a lot in this short time.

Despite being on a program for a specific division, there was an opportunity to learn about all available roles which was good in confirming that I was most interested in the division I initially applied for. There was sessions dedicated to oversights of the whole business as well as the individual divisions, and interacting with the other students from other divisions also gave me a strong insight into the company. The only point of improvement would be to have some more direct contact with other divisions, and potentially being able to shadow all divisions instead of just the one I applied for.

I found the company culture similar to how it was described to me during the interviews and by previous spring interns. People were approachable, friendly, and willing to answer any questions. This was true even up to the senior leadership, and meant that the program was very enjoyable. Obviously, being an investment bank, the atmosphere was intense to a certain level, and it goes without saying that the hours are very long - but this is approached in a relatively good way in the case of Jefferies.

I really enjoyed the insight as not only did it give me a good insight into the company and potential future roles I could have in Investment Banking, but it also allowed me to talk with a lot of like-minded people and make many useful connections. Overall, the Jefferies Insight Program was a fantastic experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated. The program has helped me develop important skills and knowledge that will undoubtedly be valuable as I move forward in my career.

Yes

Focus a lot on your soft skills and commercial awareness, technical skills are not prioritised at this early stage as they can be taught. Being on top of the news, however, is crucial even in the casual networking you do. Having good communication and presentation skills is crucial, as well as a basic understanding of some financial metrics, thought there is no need for in depth knowledge such as financial modelling. Just engage with the interviewers as real people and answer honestly!