Finance Intern (FP&A Opex Analyst) Review

I really enjoyed my summer placement at Centrica. I was given responsibility from the start, made to feel supported throughout and provided with on-the-job training. My experience at Centrica has further enhanced my desire for a job in finance within the Energy industry.

I feel my colleagues valued my commitment, passion and enthusiasm towards the role. I was provided with feedback that demonstrated I had helped to create a positive environment and my work was of a high standard. I have felt a valued member of the team and made to feel welcome in all working environments.

The support and guidance of my line manager has been fantastic throughout. The support they have shown has made my 10 week internship enjoyable and the variety of tasks I have been set have been set with a purpose of adding value to the team as well as to my personal development. I met with my line manager weekly, and throughout I felt at ease asking for guidance and support.

I was always given a task to do by my line manager and rarely felt the need to ask for further work. At times I found the work relatively easy and requested more challenging projects as my proficiency increased.

I was given responsibility from the outset upon my own projects and I contributed towards the financial planning project for the company. I was entrusted to seek my own objectives and often chaired meetings with senior finance stakeholders.

The skills I have learnt will only help my future career. Firstly, my excel skills have improved and I am likely to use these in my future career and university studies. My ability to work in an office environement and to adapt to new social and working cultures will benefit me in the future.

The general atmosphere in my office was friendly, energetic and supportive. I felt very comfortable in my working environment and at ease with my colleagues. The atmosphere of the working environment may change dependent on location though, with several peers stating differences in atmospheres across the company. Despite this, mine was thoroughly enjoyable and I would happily return. Dress code was formal, yet no tie was needed.

The internship was really well organised. We received a schedule to begin with and were provided with weekly updates from the graduate team. The organisation of accomodation for all interns was what set the internship at Centrica apart from other schemes. I was able to meet new people and it felt very much like living in halls again! This was a definite positive from an organisation point of view.

Centrica invested well into personal training and development. We were given a full day induction and Centrica put on training days for Microsoft Excel and presentation technique. We also took part in an 'Everest Challenge' which really improved communication, teamwork and motivational skills amongst all the interns.

Future employment prospects are very appealing. The graduate scheme is highly supportive and the rotational aspect is unique in comparison to similar firms offering accountancy qualifications. There is however, a very limited number of spaces for potential graduates in comparison to other schemes.

There was a very good social scene amongst fellow placement students because of the accomodation provided by Centrica. We often went to the pub, played football, ate together and attended local activities such as music festivals and sporting events together.

Centrica covered the cost of living which was a standout benefit of the scheme as I otherwise would have been unable to undertake the scheme as relocation costs would be too high. That being said, the cost of living is very high in the nearby area.

The nightlife is a mixed bag! We often attended nightclubs in Windsor but this required a 30 minute taxi. Local bars are in high supply but are often quite pricey.

There were many opportunities to get involved in activities - dependent on your proactivity! I was keen to play sports and I was part of 2 football teams set up by Centrica employees. Most activities were amongst interns though and a higher level of activities with colleagues would be a suggestion of mine to build rapport and a relationship that reaches outside of the office.