Secured Collections Analyst Review

Overall I really enjoyed the time I spent within Lloyds throughout the 10 week internship. I performed an internal consultancy role within Group Operations which required me to create a business proposal for a new department model. I was able to proactively network and gain insight into numerous different areas of the business to develop my proposals. I then presented the final business proposal to senior management which gave me great exposure at the end of the internship.

On the whole everyone was really welcoming. There were some barriers when attempting to liaise with key stakeholders in other offices around the country. However, I was able to overcome these and deliver a strong business proposal.

My manager was really helpful. At first it was a bit of a struggle as he had recently moved roles and had a lot of new responsibilities. However, once the initial couple of weeks had passed we established a good working relationship and he was able to support me with my key deliverables.

I was given a couple of key deliverables at the start of the internship so it was my responsibility to separate the work load accordingly. This was really useful as it kept me focussed at the start. However, as with any internship the emphasis is on you to make the most out of it. This translates to the workload. I was busy throughout the internship because I ensured I always had something to do, be this related to either my business proposal or personal development. However, if you are not a proactive person you may feel that you are being left at a "spare end" from time to time.

I had completed a 12 month placement before the role at Lloyds and this had far more responsibility. However, that is a reflection of its duration. Given the internship was 10 weeks, I feel I had an appropriate amount of responsibility. I knew what I had to deliver and if the end product was poor it was entirely my fault.

My networking skills improved greatly and I made some critical in-roads into other departments within the bank by proactively arranging insight days. The understanding I gained on these insight days will be vital when applying for graduate roles.

The people I worked with were really friendly. They were always willing to help and the vibe was pretty cheery.

The fact Emerging Talent didn’t provide a direct telephone contact made the weeks before the internship both confusing and frustrating. However, where credit is due Lloyds does cover the cost of your accommodation if you are living away from home. It was a mixed bag in how I felt the whole thing was organized. However, it’s a 10 week internship, you just need to get on with it and recognise you have a great opportunity despite any initial reservations/ problems you may have!

Some educational sessions were offered into the Banking Industry. However, it’s 10 week internship, you get out what you put in. I would argue the emphasis is on yourself rather than Lloyds.

I got a “strong” referral which should stand me good stead for the graduate scheme. Importantly, I would only return if I was able to switch on to another scheme, but this was always my intention; it isn’t a result of the internship. Time will tell if Emerging Talent is willing to let me do so.

The people I lived with were great. We went out for drinks most weekends and had a few really good nights out. Even so, with there being only 8 interns living in the Manchester halls, I did think that had I been based in London more would have been going on.

It was reasonable. Nevertheless, with your accommodation paid for you don’t really have any significant outgoing costs.

Manchester was great. I went to some amazing nightclubs as well as some terrible ones. On the whole the nightlife was really good.

Not really, but it didn’t bother me as there was a city to explore.