Securities Intern Review

It was challenging but a very enjoyable experience

Everyone was keen to help you if you had interesting and challenging questions for them. I really felt that they wanted me to succeed and help me build on prior knowledge of the industry

You are given a buddy as part of the programme and this provides an incredibly helpful point of contact which is especially useful when you need any guidance/support.

The tasks/projects that you are required to complete during the internship are very useful in improving presentation and analytical skills.

Personally I found it very well structured because it was a decent mix of planned things by the graduate recruitment team and your own personal organisation of meetings and shadowing experiences. You would only feel it wasn't structured if you didn't seek out opportunities.

Obviously it is challenging and stressful at times but that's what the industry entails so ultimately this is just realistic preparation.

I felt that the company showed the extent of their investment by the number of partners we got to meet in the firm. Since partners are very powerful people in the firm, I felt our exposure to them showed how much we were valued as new recruits. Also, this Easter programme is two weeks long which is unusual to find for first year students and I felt this allowed me to really develop.

Since we got to spend two weeks at the firm, it really gave you a feel for what working for GS would be like which provided me with the necessary experience to decide that this was a full-time role i wished to pursue.

We had various spotlight sessions on all areas of the bank, women's network events and various other organised events which gave a very rounded introduction to the firm's culture

I believe I learnt incredibly valuable things and the fortnight has provided me with strong foundations on which to start my career.

I also live outside the M25 so was provided with accommodation for the duration of the internship

Some were planned but also you were encouraged to arrange meetings with employees in your spare time to further this.

As mentioned in the previous answer, although some events were arranged, networking was very much designed for you to go and seek out opportunities. It was perhaps a way for the firm to see how well you could build relationships with other people

It was not a question that I really asked but it was clear that colleagues did socialise and enjoy activities with each other outside of work.

I thoroughly enjoyed this experience and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the industry