UBS Insights Week Review

It was an ok insight into what a bank does. I don't feel that I learnt anything in a huge amount of detail, but very useful to learn about each individual division (fairly superficially) and appreciate what the bank does overall.

Didn't really contribute much to the bank, being only an Insight week but I think they put in the effort to make us feel welcome and put on lots of events and socials for us.

There was always a large number of members of the business at each session and also lots of networking drinks / snack breaks etc, so always an opportunity to ask lots of questions, clarify anything that I was uncertain of, and understand what they do. I think they commitment of personal-time to the program from the employees was superb and really makes the event what it is.

Useful to understand how a bank works and work out what all the jargon means! So that will be useful when doing internship applications, useful information. Didn't really learn any skills.

Good - very structured timetable of events which we were given on the first date. Things ran to schedule, all the sessions took place and were well staffed, and they certainly packed as much into the week as they could. Was busy!

Ok - everyone on the Insights was a bit nervous about making sure they came across well so, for example, the social events were quite tame. But when they didn't have organised events, quite a few of us would go for a drink after the day ended which was nice. All the UBS employees were very friendly and happy to help and chat so that is good.

I wasn't trained in anything at all but I learnt information. The main investment was the significant amount of time from the UBS employees - always a large number at the sessions.

Hard to tell - I think some of the sessions put a bit of a gloss finish to the job, as though they were trying to make it sound better than it actually is (especially with regard to the work-life balance and the responsibility given to juniors in the bank). However, when I spoke to business members individually, I felt like I was getting a more honest appraisal. It would have been nice if they were more upfront about the bad parts of the industry, rather than trying to hide them away.

Hard to tell - this is the only bank I have properly interacted with. But from the people I met, everyone was very friendly and helpful.

Ok - as I said before, hard to tell what is the sugar-coated version of what banking is like, compared to the truth. But if you asked questions about work-life balance and the hours, employees would give honest answers and explain how to mitigate that and work around it.

They paid my travel and put me up in a hotel. Lunch was provided every day and a couple of breakfasts. I had to pay for my own dinners.

Lots of opportunities. At the end of every session they had a mingling session, and there were a couple of networking lunches and drinks sessions. Endless opportunities to meet lots of different members of the firm and they were always there in such large numbers that it was easy to get personal attention.

Two social events organised by UBS - a pub quiz and then a bowling night. Both were fun - open bar and food, but no-one really went for it that much! Everyone was too nervous in front of HR.

Not really - personally, i didn't discuss this with the people I met. That isn't to say they don't exist - I just don't know about them.

Yes- serves its purpose in giving you a basic but broad introduction to investment banking and gives you a platform for internship applications.