Insight week Review

It was good at providing an overview, but did not go into detail so didn't feel as if I learnt much. A lot of pointless team building activities (especially for technology and operations).

HR did not maintain much contact with us, and the food was not very nice. Moreover, travel expenses within the M25 were not covered, so I had to spend over £50 for 5 days. However, we did all have name badges and HR did know all our names

Not much as I did not even get to work shadow in the department that I wanted to. However, career paths were discussed and many careers were shown

We had to do presentations, which helped, but I had to put myself up for them. Some people wouldn't have got the chance to use them. We didn't really learn anything to help us

It was well structured, as all the activities were planned out and we were told well in advance

Not too intense. Pretty laid back.

Some help was given with the maths test and the assessment centre. No other real benefit, especially for those who were told they couldn't do the assessment centre (not me)

It felt very artificial at times, but yes, it did help as I saw the social side as well as the divisions

A lot. Perceptions changed as I went through the week. It was not pushed on you. It seemed like every other company. There was no time to get to know employees, as in the networking event, the shadowers stuck with the shadows and shadows spoke to no one else.

Nothing was focussed enough, especially in the technology and operations divisions, so impossible to know which to choose, as did not do any work shadowing there or any case studies to know what it would be like. A lot of team building workshops which had little relevance

Very expensive to travel, and not reimbursed costs at all. Moreover, no snacks during day so remained hungry. Lunches were not adequate, breakfast was cold.

We had a social between the group on monday where we went bowling and a networking lunch on wednesday

The bowling was fine and good fun, but the networking lunch was not great as there everyone was eating and sticking to certain groups and it was hard to talk to the employees. Also, it was very short. I have done extensive networking before, but this was my least favourite experience.

yes, we had a session involving the women's network, cultural awareness society and pride

No. Hardly any work shadowing and mine was not even in the part of the division I wanted it to be in. I felt as if I got an overview of the company and the roles but still no detailed idea of what a future career in a certain role would be like. Only come if you want an overview of the bank as a whole, not if you already know roughly where you want to specialise. Moreover, the people who changed their minds were not even allowed to swap into another division, and have to start the application process again.