Summer Intern Review

I have been kept busy everyday so there was a lot for me to learn and I was given the opportunity to meet new people. People here are also very supportive and I enjoy working here. I also attended networking events organised by the Recruitment team which allowed me to bond with the other interns as well as attending presentations by more senior people in the business. I can see myself building a career at Barclays. Also, the company promotes a good working life balance which is another motive for me to work for the it. The internship experience went well above my expectations and I am enjoying every day of it.

My whole team are helpful and supportive. I feel comfortable working with every one of them and they make the days at work fun. Whenever I needed help, there was always someone I could go to.

My managers are very approachable. We interact everyday at work and they make sure that they free time for me, for instance, for our weekly meeting. They provide me with timely feedback and advise me whenever possible. One time, I felt like I did not have enough to do and I feel comfortable to raise my concern with them. They gladly reschedule my timetable so that more work was given to me so that I am able to constantly learn.

I was busy everyday. Between meetings to attend, day-to-day tasks, call conferences, presentations networking events and workshadowing, there has not been a day where my calendar was empty. Everyday is different from the previous one. I like the fact that I am given the opportunity to be able to meet as many people as I can in my business area. Also, apart from work, interns are also given the chance to participate in "extra-curricular" activities such as volunteering. Of course, some days were less busy than the others but I felt that overall I was more busy than ever.

I felt like I have been much trusted as long as I am doing the work properly. Every task given to me, I take it as a responsibility. I constantly have work from my colleagues, including my manager, and I feel like Barclays give you the opportunity to take as much responsibility as available to you. I feel comfortable in taking those responsibilities and also know that my colleagues will help me whenever needed.

I feel that I did not only improve my technical knowledge of the financial world but I also experience an invaluable professional work life. I also developed transferable skills such as time management, organisation, discipline, Microsoft office and the list goes on. The whole experience provided a whole exposure of both soft and technical skills that I will undoubtedly apply in my life as I progress in either my studies or career.

It was a friendly atmosphere in general. There is a lot of people interactions and people are really approachable. I feel comfortable enough to be able to talk to anyone at the office. They are welcoming and are genuinely interested in telling more about what they do.

It was well organised. As I mentioned before, the internship went well above my expectations. A lot of opportunites were given to interns and I realise that I have the chance to meet the most senior people working here. The events organised by the Recruitment team were also very interesting and fun. I would say that the internship is of high quality and valuable for anyone who is planning to build a careeer in the banking sector.

I believe that the company invest a lot in the interns. In terms of both opportunities and events organised for us to enrich our knowledge. Also the two days training before working at our desk was also extremely useful to have a better insight. You have full support from both your team members and the Recruitment team. I clearly feel that everyone here wants to make you feel that it is the best internship that you could have and by doing so, they are making that experience a valuable one.

It is very appealing for me.I appreciate the work culture here and the workload given to me. I enjoy the fact that I can imitate highly professional people in this industry.

I would say everyday. Sometimes it would be the most simple gesture like buying a coffee for the team members to helping in the work even though the other was busy. There were also after work drinks or events. There are also team events that are organised such as bowling night or clubbing. The atmosphere is very friendly and the work-life balance is maintained.

The cost of living in London is relatively high but I am exposed to a good standard of living, so I would say that the price reflects it. As for socialising, I would say that it depends on the event or the people with whom you are socialising. I think that overall, it was reasonable.

In the area I am working there are two bars nearby where we could have drinks after work hours. It was easily accessible, apart from that there are no clubs so travelling was required for those. The area also has a lot of restaurants so that one can grab a meal after work or go dinner with friends or colleagues.

The interns were given the opportunities to participate in volunteering activity but apart from that the interns had to organise drinks or footbal matches amongst themselves.