Intern Review

I enjoyed it very much. There was a huge amount of variety on offer throughout the week, which ensured the insight remained interesting and stimulating. The people attending were great too!

We were shown a lot of attention. Barclays clearly invested a lot of time and money into the week-we had great accommodation, food, networking events, presentations from very senior employees, and even actors employed for an interactive case study!

We received as much support as necessary. Everyone was willing to help, answer questions and provide advice when needed.

I developed team-working skills and presenting skills. We did many team-based presentations, working with a wide variety of people from different Barclays internships throughout. This will help with my study as we regularly do such presentations.

It was incredibly well structured. Everything ran on time, exercises were varied and in a good order that kept us stimulated (and awake after all the early mornings!). Events tended to last for the correct amount of time.

Everyone selected to take part in the insight was ambitious, friendly, good fun and intelligent. This created an atmosphere conducive to productivity. Graduate recruitment were very friendly, as were other Barclays employees which also contributed to the positivity.

The company paid for actors to help with interactive team-based tasks. We were provided materials/props/laptops for our presentations. Prizes were given to incentivise other tasks. Many senior figures gave us presentations/supervised and judges pitches and presentations.

We were provided the opportunity to shadow for 3 hours on 3 of the days. I shadowed/chatted with around 6 employees during this time. I attended a team meeting, listened in on phone calls, and had the type of projects analysts work on demonstrated.

Experiencing the offices whilst shadowing; meeting numerous employees at various networking events; and watching videos/presentations on Barclays' values/culture gave a good understanding.

I was exposed to enough of the type of work undertaken in Operations to help inform my decision concerning my future career path. It was thus very useful.

£250 for the week, plus free accommodation (I didn't have to lay out at all for this).

We had many networking opportunities. Dinners with other interns/graduate recruitment; drinks events with analysts/associates and managers; and work shadowing with many different employees.

They were great. Great food (canapes), great drink (!), cool venues. One was at The Attic bar, high up over the City. Another was on the 30th floor of the Barclays HQ. We even had Sally Gunnall (ex olympic gold medalist) give a speech at one!

To some extent, but not much.

Absolutely. Even if, like myself, you are unsure as to whether banking is the career for you, the week is so well organised/varied, and the people selected are so good that either way you will have a great time and learn a lot.