Central London Investment - Summer Intern Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire intern experience.

I was fortunate to spend my time in the Central London Investment team, a busy, highly motivated, deal driven group of individuals. As a result there wasn't a huge amount of time available for them to mentor me or express their views on my usefulness. Nevertheless, by the end of the period it seemed clear that they trusted me to undertake tasks and in general seemed to consider me to be a genuine colleague.

The support and guidance provided by management and supervisors was excellent in the main. In all but one instance I received direct professional input as to the given task. One of the graduates acted as my supervisor (mentor). He was always happy to answer the questions that I had, appreciating that as an intern who had not obtained a Real Estate related degree I had little previous experience on which to draw (I am to start a Real Estate Masters degree course in September).

I was very busy, however on reflection I realise that so was everyone in the team. I’m glad that was the case as the alternative would have made me feel irrelevant and the opportunity to gain from the internship would have been reduced

I felt that I was given increasing amounts of responsibility as the four weeks progressed. I assume this resulted from increased confidence that my input might be useful rather than irrelevant.

I have no doubt that the skills acquired and training received will be massively helpful during the Master’s course. Post qualification, in June 2016, I anticipate that this internship will be really helpful in helping me to obtain employment in the industry.

The general atmosphere was active, but colleagues were friendly and willing to help which made the whole experience a pleasant one.

I thought the overall structure and organisation was terrific. The HR team remained heavily involved throughout and on our penultimate day we were asked to give feedback as to the overall experience. I found this particularly useful as it forced me to think through the entire experience.

I imagine that the investment made was material, as a range of individuals gave up valuable time to involve me and other interns in the work they were carrying out. Clearly the work of the Central London Investment team could have taken place without my contribution. I therefore remain conscious of the effort made by C&W. In terms of my own development the direct guidance I received on making presentations will be specifically useful in my future commercial life.

My application to C&W in London followed an internship that I had been fortunate to have had in the Hong Kong Office in 2014. I applied for this internship because I have already identified that C&W is the company that I would most like to join on conclusion of my Masters course.

A number of drinks evenings and lunches were organised during the four weeks that helped develop a decent connection amongst the interns. I tried to get involved whenever possible however it was slightly difficult on occasions as I was located in the City office whilst most of the events took place close to the Portman Square office in the West End.

Very much as I had anticipated in the City of London. I had no accommodation costs as I lived at my sibling’s properties. Lunches and occasional after work drinks/ cost circa £20 per day.

I went to a couple of pubs in the area where I worked but didn’t really experience the ‘nightlife’ as such.

Yes; alongside other interns I played softball against another real estate firm; attended evening drinks for interns and graduates to get to know each other and also attended the C&W summer party.