Summer Intern Review

A really good experience and a great taster of life in investment banking

I had a great set of colleagues, who were really supportive and helpful at all times. Across the floor though you can see some variation across teams.

I was assigned a mentor and a buddy before the internship started. Before the internship I was contacted by my buddy and mentor who introduced themselves and gave me the chance to ring them and ask any questions I might have before the internship started. Throughout the internship they were always available for advice and help on both the work that I was doing and more long term career discussions. In particular, my buddy played a very active role in providing continuous support and guidance on my work, showing me the ropes and explaining why we did the work that we did etc. At times of course, you can get thrown in at the deep end with less guidance; however, that is often a tough, but good way to learn.

Mostly I had a very good balance of work throughout the internship. If there were quiet points, my team assigned me a set of personal projects which I could revert to to look at (putting together best practice documents, and modelling my own company valuation). At times it felt as if I was too busy, having been given various tasks from several people; however, it was never unmanageable and it was just a case of managing your own workload and keeping people's expectations in line with your abilities.

I was given significant responsibility during the placement- becoming a real part of the team. However it also struck a good balance that you were given work that you could manage, rather than being dumped with huge tasks.

We received technical training in the initial training week, which was helpful, but perhaps largely particular to the role and the internship. The research skills and the soft skills that I developed, often simply in terms of perseverance are useful skills for life.

Good kitchen!

There could have been more networking and social events organised throughout the course of the internship; however apart from that, there was always very good communication between HR and the teams and my team were always kept aware of what was being organised for the interns.

Whilst the company did invest, it was more the time which people on the floor spent with me that was the more significant investment in terms of personal training and development.

Not confirmed, but I think I have pretty good future employment prospects with them.

There was some; however, we were all kept relatively busy with work and had little time outside to just socialise.

Pretty standard- all the typical chain food places etc. Drinks are very expensive though- fairly standard to have £10 mixers in clubs.

It's central London, so there is obviously decent nightlife around

Not really, besides the organised events for interns.