Operational Leadership Summer Intern Review

Absolutely loved the placement. The chance to get a headstart in the competitive job sector that is banking, coupled with personal and professional development opportunities and great social events with fellow interns made it the best experience of my life! And it also led to a grad job!

They couldn't have made me feel more welcome if they tried their hardest. From day 1, I was included in the team as a valuable member and great resource and tasked with managing two of my own projects which were quite big. With those came big responsibilities, and I really felt valued and felt I was making a great contribution from the very beginning!

The level of feedback and guidance I've been provided is definitely unparalleled in the sector, compared with all previous work experience I have had. Weekly 1-to-1 meetings with my line manager, as well as bi-weekly catchups with the Head of UK Wealth Business meant that I was always kept in the loop in terms of feedback on my work, as well as having guidance and advice be provided weekly during meetings. The team I was working with also gave constant inputs, making me understand how to steer my approach to the projects I was responsible for.

There was no such thing as an empty day. On an average day I had 4 hours of meetings to work on my project and understand the settings, an hour and a half of desk work and a couple hours minimum to learn about the company and department. My line manager also went the extra mile and organised overview sessions for me to get to know every part of the department, which gave me a huge knowledge base very useful for both the placement and the future!

I couldn't have coped with more, in all honesty. Not only was I given a big project to manage and coordinate on my own from day 1, but also I was assigned to further projects on the side that I was entirely responsible for, and had to juggle those with cooperation on other people's projects too. I had to report to senior management and be responsible for all my actions as well as organising meetings and more on my own for the projects, and it was great fun and made me feel very valued!

The skills I've learned are amazing! Not only have I expanded my skill set which is proving incredibly useful in my final year at university so far, but also I've gained an industry-recognised Six Sigma project manager qualification which boosts my employability as well as helping me with my degree!!

The atmosphere was good overall; on a daily basis we'd have lunch and get tea or coffee all together, as well as having a bi-weekly team lunch and more! On Fridays it was dress down day which helped us get to know our colleagues on a slightly more personal scale, as well as having a 'pub quiz'-like contest in the office every Friday with prizes and more! Great setting to work with! Colleagues also interacted with me frequently, regardless of seniority, and constantly enquired about my work and offered help...

Organisation was perfect from day 1. We were asked if we wanted to try out the special new Project, Strategy and Operational Leadership summer placement, to which I said yes, and I got accepted straightaway. I got information on my location very soon after my contract acceptance, and information on our 3-day induction followed, which was in a stunning location near Reading. After that, we made contact with our line managers and started the placement, which was incredibly well structured with a schedule personalised for my needs and objectives. At the beginning objectives were set overall to meet by the end of the 7 weeks, and the internship flowed smoothly including activities such as Community Volunteering Day and more. At the end we further boosted our skills through the Intern Development Day, which was great!

I feel HSBC have made a huge investment in us. Personally, not only did i get incredible support and resources, but also the pay level, and the training I got towards my project management qualification is fantastic! Definitely a huge level of investment in our potential, which led to my obtaining the qualification which would bring huge costs if taken outside work! Investment in our potential could also be easily seen by how well the intern development day was organised as well as all other opportunities for development within our departments!

Immediately after the internship we had a session regarding our future possibilities with the company, whether a further internship or a great job. Within weeks we were contacted with our offers and I was offered a graduate position in Operational Leadership based on feedback they'd received on me and my skill set, which now opens international mobility opportunities for the future!

The social scene was absolutely amazing as well! First of all during the induction week HSBC had organised a networking dinner and opportunities to meet and get to know your fellow interns; this also happened after the Community Volunteering day and in other cases as well. We all got to know each other quickly, formed great bonds and made friends very quickly, with which we then organised social get-togethers in the evenings at weekends and more!

Living in Southampton, the cost of living and socialising was very low. It did not bite much into my salary, and with local restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs near the office being cheap, socialising was great!

Nightlife is also amazing in Southampton, although my colleagues and I only went to the local pubs near the office on Fridays (another perk of working in such an amazing and friendly environment!)

Not only had HSBC organised a Community Volunteering day for us all to take part in, but we were also encouraged to get involved in the staff social and sports club as well as organisation of our own volunteering activities and collaboration in the office's activities. I also had the opportunity to travel to the London office a couple times to meet a 'graduate buddy' we'd been allocated, to socialise and spend time with, as well as ask many tips on the grad schemes for next steps!