Commercial Officer Review

I enjoyed my placement in that it provided me with valuable insights to an industry I was weary of initally. I enjoyed working in two different teams and two different locations and the business exposure. As for the field of work I did, after mastering a lot of what my role entailed, it did become a little repetitive in a sense until the busy days hit! The experience of working with so many different managers with different styles was invaluable. Of course there are always things that can be better in that I would have liked to go out on more meetings with managers and learn more about their roles. However I learned alot about myself and the business world and have a lot I can take into the future.

I felt my colleagues valued me immensely. My appraisals strongly suggested this. As well as the fact that as it was a self-arranged placement, as an extra member in the team that would not normally be there, this extra support was widely appreciated.

As an "self arranged" placement in a palce where there probably has not been a placement arranged before, I feel my learning was solely upto me. The main aim was of course as set out to master the role of Commercial Officer and develop an understanding of how a Commercial Bank works and operates. I feel I did that to a large extent and my managers were there for anything I needed I could as them. So for support I would say a good extent of whatever I wanted to do I was supported. As for guidance, my managers were there as a point of contact for me at anytime in their busy diaries. As we worked in the team the general direction of the team is where each individual aimed to be for the benfit of that. I was guided in terms of moving forward and for ideas of a future career that I could take or was interested in.

Always busy no matter what! Some days were alright but alright on a normal day is busier then any other place of work! (As Bilbo Baggins would say).

Responsibility in terms of acheiving what needed to be in a given deadline. It was a fairly relaxing working atmosphere however work was always there to be done and needed to be done on time. We were given great access to the systems and information and for that reason a good deal of responsibilty is entailed within the role.

Business accumen. How businesses operate in real life. Banking needs of a business and what banking services are available for businesses. Data protection act. Office working and team working theories experienced in real life. All of these which were developed on the role and can be taken as basis into a future career! Working with business plans and lending etc.

Always vibrant atmosphere with someone to talk to in a relaxed working environment with always some banter in the air!

As it was a sort of informal placement it was organised well int erms of setting me up in the team and working as an active part of the team doing challenging tasks. Afterall this is what any placement outlines effectivley on a basic level anyway!

Just general on the job training to keep up with compliance.

As the companys strength is undouted compared to its competitors it is very attractive. On the perks and pay side maybe a bit lower then expected but always room for development and growth.

Only one but met a couple of trainess on management trainee programmes (Grad progs). However they had a formal set out of there individual programmes and meetings where as I had the general meetings as any other employee and anything I had to do for placement.

Fairly standard for London. Travel major expense!

Kignston and wimledon are standard. kingsto is better as it has the Oceania and other bar/clubs. Wimbledon moreso a bar atmosphere. Of course for non drinkers there is great shopping areas in both towns nd cinema and everything else you would like to do.

We had some football games and so on.