Spring Insight Week Participant Review

I really enjoyed my Spring Insight week at BofAML and learnt a lot while I was there. I like that the programme was very structured and each part of day was organised so that we can make the most out of day there. Even lunches were opportunities to network with employees. I think that it would have been nice to shadow in GCIB just as we did in Global Markets as I think that was a really informative experience. The last day, assessment day, was probably the most stressful but everyone tried to make you feel as comfortable as possible. Overall I really enjoyed my time here, everyone was friendly and willing to answer any questions we had.

I really felt that the week was organised to maximise our opportunity to learn as much as possible. I especially enjoyed the networking dinner as it was a really enjoyable experience and gave us the opportunity to network one-to-one. It was obvious that the firm wanted us to enjoy the experience.

HR were very supportive during the experience and always there to answer any questions. I think it would've been nice to have more information about the assessment day beforehand just so that we could know what to expect. On the last day, everyone was really supportive and tried to make the experience as easy as possible even though it was a nerve-racking day.

I think the best thing about the experience was the presentation talk. It really helped develop techniques to improve your presentation skills and is something that I think will definitely help me in the future. It also helped me improve my networking skills as we were given lots of opportunities to practice this.

The insight was really well structured, organised and executed. The first day mainly compromised of talks about what to expect and how to make the most of the week as well as a talk by a comedian on presentation skills. The second and third day was dedicated to your divisional preferences. The fourth day was focused on choosing which division you wanted to apply to for summer internship as you had to decide by midday. The afternoon and the last day were dedicated to assessing you for summer internship. The whole structure worked really well, however I did feel that we had to decide very quickly which division to apply to and it would have been nice to have more time.

Everyone was really friendly and approachable during the insight week. It felt like everyone was supportive of each other and willing to help you. The atmosphere on the last day was a bit more serious but everyone was just as friendly and approachable in the bank. BofAML really tried to make us feel as welcome as possible.

There were a lot of talks and information sessions, so there was a lot involved in terms of personal development and training. The presentation sessions and panels were really useful and they put a lot of time into helping you develop networking skills.

I think due to the numerous opportunities to network you really did get a feel of how it would be to have a full time role. In Global Markets you got to shadow traders which was the most informative experience of what it would be like. It would be good to have more of this as shadowing was the most indicative part.

Everyone I spoke to really seemed to enjoy working at the company and highlighted how much the bank really cares about their employers and helping them develop. Mobility within the company is really encouraged and happens a lot. People feel very comfortable and do not feel that they must act differently due to hierarchy of position.

I think that was the best thing about this week- whether you wanted to go into banking or not. this really helps you to decide what you want. It allows you to get a feel of where you belong in the bank and what divsion most suits your personality.

I did not need to be reimbursed as I did not have any travel costs.

There were opportunities every day to network with people and extra social events such as drinks and dinner in the evenings too. Lunches were also opportunities to network.

As previously mentioned, networking really helps you to understand what you want to do and where you would be most suited in the bank. Employees were very willing to help and share contact details with you. The dinner was particularly good as for each part of the meal you would sit with someone new, so it really maximised networking opportunity.

There was a talk about the different volunteering and social activities that happen. Employees have lots of opportunities within the bank ti take part in many things from sport to fundraising for charity.

Definitely, it's an invaluable experience that anyone interested in finding out about the financial world should apply to.