Intern in Human Resources Review

I really enjoyed my week at HSBC. I spent more time meeting people and attending HSBC events than at my desk which meant that every day on the job was different. Although my work experience was technically with the HR team, they had arranged for me to spend time talking to a huge variety of people within the organisation so that I gained an insight into most departments of HSBC. Everyone I met was really accommodating and spent time explaining to me what their role was. I was invited to attend several events which were very exciting, and I was even taken out to lunch by the team a couple of times.

I was the only intern in the HR department and was treated as one of the team. The work I produced was of real value to my manager as she went on to use it in her projects. I had my own desk for the week alongside my manager and her assistant, which meant that I was included in their conversations and treated as an equal.

The work experience coordinator had pre-planned a timetable for my week at HSBC which involved meeting people from every department. The week was very structured but this meant that I was able to get a huge amount out of it. I was set several several work tasks to complete over the course of the week. These were explained to me fully in my Work Experience booklet and I was able to ask my manager or anyone else in the team when I needed to check or query something.

The actual tasks set for me to do did not involve skills that are particularly relevant to my degree course. However, having completed this work experience I feel much more comfortable interacting in a business environment, particularly with senior managers. I learnt the importance of presenting myself well at all times, and I also gained knowledge of HSBC and the structure and functions of a global bank, which I consider to be useful general knowledge.

My insight was structured very well, the work experience coordinator having pre-planned a timetable for me which involved moving around the different departments of HSBC. Arrival, lunches and leaving times were clearly defined. In my free time I was set a number of tasks to complete for the HR team; these were not too challenging and so I finished them well before my placement finished. Most mornings were spent in meetings, while the afternoons were left free for my own work.

I was lucky to be placed with a particularly friendly and fun team. We often chatted over our work and went on several team lunches in restaurants near the office. The HSBC Canary Wharf office was a fantastic place to work in as the building has a lovely environment. I'm sure that in different departments, where the work is of a more serious nature, an insight may not be as fun!

I did not feel as though I was being trained, as such, for a specific role within the company. However, HSBC's graduate recruitment department spent time with me explaining the process of moving from an insight to an internship to a full time job. I was encouraged to apply for the next stage of the recruitment process the following year, and the people I met were more than happy for me to contact them at a later date if and when I needed advice regarding applications.

Everyone I met within the organisation was very open about what their day-to-day role in the office involves, including how they fit their work around their home lives and other interests. I got the impression that HSBC is accommodating in terms of flexible working hours. I also spent time with recent graduate recruits who were able to explain the training they get and the nature of their career development, which was particularly relevant to me.

I spent more time with some departments than others, and I am sure the culture within them can vary significantly (e.g. a difference between investment banking and HR). However, HSBC's core values are adopted by everyone, and this created an enjoyable work environment.

My commute was relatively short and I used my Oyster card to travel to and from Canary Wharf every day. However, I was not paid or reimbursed travel expenses for my week at HSBC.

More of my time was spent networking and meeting other employees within HSBC than at my desk, which was really exciting. I was impressed with the variety of meetings that my work experience coordinator had planned for me.

I met a lot of employees in one-on-one meetings, so they fully dedicated their time to me and I made a number of useful contacts. Additionally I went on several group lunches, which were more informal and fun, and I attended a one day graduate event where I was able to listen to the CEO of HSBC speak, along with a number of the Board of Directors, and network with them and recent graduates over lunch.

HSBC seems to offer a huge amount of club and societies for its employees. Although I wasn't able to personally get involved, a lot of the employees mentioned sporting clubs and HSBC-coordinated charity initiatives. The offices also had a gym, which employees could use.

I have recommended the insight to several friends already, and would do so to anyone interested.