Barclays Front Office Spring Programme Review

It has definitely been a wonderful insight, with the opportunity to learn more about every area of Front Office at Barclays. In addition to the knowledge gained from Case studies and workshops, I have also learnt loads from colleagues with a diversity of cultural and academic backgrounds.

Throughout the program, we had opportunities to speak to representatives from a diversity of business areas. Despite the fact that I have spoken to representatives from Associates to Senior Managing Directors, I have felt the same level of respect from every one of them. Everyone valued Spring Interns' effort of considering their potential career paths at such an early stage. The entire organisation was very respectful towards each other, there was no sense of hierarchical or a top- down system.

Throughout the program, we have received immense guidance and support from members of the HR Department. In addition to this, representatives from pretty much all areas of Front Office were willing to take time out of their busy schedule to participate in this event as well and grant spring interns a much greater insight into this industry.

With rates sales being one of the strongest areas of Barclays, I have been very engaged in learning more about the bonds market. The knowledge I have gained from this has definitely granted me a greater understanding of the reasons behind many of the governments' policies which employs interest rate to produce different results in the economy.

The insight was very well structured, with first day focusing majorly on banking, second day on Global Markets and third day on PCB. Additionally, with the knowledge gained from all three days, we can then make a decision for work shadowing opportunities on Thursday and Friday.

The general atmosphere has been very diverse, respectful, friendly and open to colleagues from all around the world. Most importantly, representatives were all very patient and active in answering any questions we throw at them.

Barclays have definitely invested a lot of resources and time to design this spring program for First or Second Year University students to really get an overview of the Front Office, in order for them to make an informed decision of which area they hope to pursue a career in.

Not only were there sessions focusing majorly on the summer internship and graduate scheme, representatives also shared a lot of information and knowledge regarding these areas, since a large proportion of current employees at Barclays have previously been engaged in summer internships and graduate schemes.

This program has such an immense focus on truly reflecting Barclays' culture to spring interns in order to ensure that this is the company which is suitable for you.

Considering that I did not have a clue as to which area of Front Office I hope to pursue, the diversity of information and knowledge gained from this week has definitely been highly influential to my decision on my future career path.

Yes, I was paid and reimbursed expenses.

In addition to the fact that we were able to network and meet employees throughout the program during case studies and workshops, we were also privileged to participate in an networking evening exclusive for spring interns and to work shadow in our area of choice on the last two days of the program.

The networking opportunities were wonderful in the sense that all the employees were very active to answer questions and were highly knowledgeable, since they were capable of answering any questions we as interns can fire at them.

We had a session called 'The Student Hub' on the first day, which introduced us to social service opportunities which Barclays are involved with and contribute to, in collaboration with universities across the UK. Employees from Barclays have been playing an active role in these opportunities. I have also learnt a lot about the activities which employees have during various networking events and work shadowing.

Definitely, especially when many students at this stage in life do not have a clear image of whether this industry for them, not to mention the area which they wish to get in.