Penultimate year undergraduate summer internship Review

I had a fantastic time working there experiencing what life is like for a professional economist in the public sector. It was exciting to be able to apply some of the theories learnt to the real world with policy implications. My department was friendly and helpful and there was a good group of interns.

They were appreciative of the work I did when there. The amount of interest from the department after my presentation showed the relevance of the work I was doing.

I was set a project at the start of the internship which evolved during my time there. My line manager was very supportive and approachable when I had things to ask him.

The work was more heavily loaded towards the end of the internship due to a data issue but I was always busy! Days were normally 8.30 until 5.30 with an hour for lunch and I normally went to the gym after this with some of the other interns.

I was given a really relevant individual research project during my time there. I had a good support network with my line manager supporting me but he allowed me the responsibility and freedom to develop the project as required.

The technical skills on computer programmes is definitely going to be useful in future. There was a training session on presentation technique which was very helpful whatever career I am in the future. I learnt a lot from attending divisional meetings and reading people's reports on their research and current economic events. Attending the pre-MPC helped me further understand how monetary policy works in practice. The experience has further encouraged me to have a career as a professional economist.

It was an open plan office. My particular department was pretty quiet normally although they were all friendly meeting up for lunch. There were interesting discussions in divisional meetings.

The structure of the internship with a line manager, individual project and a few events and training were good. Whenever I had queries about various aspects they were quickly answered by the relevant person.

They offered presentational training and computer skills training which were helpful. But more significantly my line manger was prepared to offer a significant amount of time to advice me.

Unlike other internships it does not offer a job straight after the internship for economists because they need a masters degree to work in Financial Stability or Monetary Analysis areas of the bank. If you are considered good enough following your internship you are invited to a technical interview [jan/feb] for their postgraduate sponsorship scheme. If you get through this and are offered a place you have to do another internship to gain masters funding and a graduate job the year after. So there's an opportunity cost decision there!!! If you do get a place on the postgraduate scheme it is very generous and they are keen on recruiting graduates. And after your first internship if your experience is anything like mine you will definitely want to go back!

There was a good atmosphere amongst the interns who all had such different backgrounds, stories and research projects. We met up regularly at lunchtimes, after work and at the gym and I have kept in contact with some of them. There were a couple of events organised & paid for by HR which were good fun.

Although in the city of london there were some cheap pubs, bars and restaurants nearby. I commuted in from my home during the internship.