Summer Intern Review

I have enjoyed my internship even more than what I expected, it has reassured me that this is definitely the type of industry/business area that I want to be in, I have been exposed to really interesting work and very influential people.

I think my team are a huge reason for my overall positive experience; I was made to feel welcome from day one and feel like I have been a valued member and not just a spare pair of hands. Even out with my immediate team, the vast majority of people here, even in senior positions, make time for interns and help them to feel valued.

I think I have been given a perfect balance of independence and support. Whenever possible, my manager has allowed me make decisions on my own and encouraged me to come up with my own answers to the questions that I raise, accordingly, I know that I have a network of people who are happy to support me and offer their guidance should I truly need it.

I have been extremely busy and I think that is a good thing, I have had real work to get on with every day and I have had to learn to juggle my diary and really prioritise. It was also made clear to me that if I ever felt that the work load was too much all I had to do was speak up, but I have enjoyed the challenge.

I was shocked at how much real work and responsibility I have been given during the internship and I am very grateful. I have been working on live projects, sometimes for senior employees, which have been of genuine help and importance and will benefit the company even after I leave.

I study HR at university and I have been able to carry out research here that will be directly illustrated in my final year dissertation. I believe that the skills I have learned and exposure that I have had will also add value to my research as it gives such broader insight that what I have learned on paper about HR.

I have an extremely fun team with lots of lovely people who can all joke with each other and all get on well. I have not marked this as a "10 - (Fun Never Stops!)" on the scale as the team also work extremely hard and are usually very busy, it is obvious when there is time to have a laugh and time to get the head down. The balance is good.

I think a lot of effort has gone into setting up the internship, the programme is great and there are a lot of really useful initiatives and activities to help develop the interns e.g. organised networking events and initiatives to help interns meet senior people.

All interns were flown to London with expenses paid and given 2 full days of training before starting the internship. I think this was an appropriate time to spend on training given the internship is only 9 weeks.

I have not completed the last week of my internship so this year's intake have not been told whether or not they have jobs yet, however, the graduate programme here looks very good and I know the vast majority of people will want to return to the scheme given the chance.

The social aspect is really great. Most of the interns are in the same position and don't know anyone and are very eager to make friends and socialise. I have met some really great people here and there is always one group or another who are out that you can socialise with.

I have been based in London, I am lucky enough to have a relative here that I have stayed with for the duration but I know that living here is extremely expensive, Barclays do give you money towards relocating though. In terms of socialising, there are some really cheap places and some really dear places, the interns will work out quickly which are which!

Interns go out basically every weekend and there are no shortages of places to go in London.

Yes, lots, with both the interns and members of my team. There are loads of things to do and see in London.