SME Banking Relationship Assistant Review

The internship was very enjoyable because I actually felt like I was contributing to the team and helping out with their wider goals. I also made great connections and was able to explore outside my own team and even my own office.

I settled into the team very quickly as they were friendly and willing to help out with any issues I had. This was particularly apparent when my line manager was on holiday and I was given tasks by various team members.

My manager was completely supportive from the very beginning when I knew absolutely nothing about the field. He never assumed that I knew anything so took time to explain things clearly. He also encouraged me to suggest changes to executives in the bank about the way certain things are organised.

Most of the time I had a day full of things to do but occasionally there would be a short lull in which no one had tasks to allocate and my manager was busy doing his own day-to-day work. I mostly had tasks that would take more than a day to complete so I was kept occupied.

I was given quite a bit of responsibility from the very beginning as I was given the task of documenting lending. There were also ongoing tasks that I had to complete on a daily basis to make sure everyone and everything was up to date.

The skills I attained will assist me more in life in general than in my degree. I learnt the importance of being analytical and paying attention to detail as well as finding answers to your own questions if possible.

The atmosphere in the office was generally positive, though being on a high performing team meant, at times, people were completely engrossed in their work. The office had a strong teamwork ethic.

The placement itself was organised in the sense that my line manager knew which tasks I would complete. However, the background organisation could have been a lot better. IT systems appeared to be unprepared for the arrival of interns and we received little information about the actual internship until not long before the start.

I have the opportunity to join the grad scheme, should I wish to, after my internship next year. I also took part in courses in order to help my personal development and give me a wider insight into the bank and the way it operates.

I would be happy to work at the bank, as it stands; however, I think I'd be more likely to make an informed decision after a second internship. Provided the internship is successful, I would be eligible to join the grad programme which is something I would consider.

When the interns were situated closer to each other, the social scene was good and often we went out to lunch together. I also socialised with the grads to gain a wider perspective on the workings of the bank as well as to have people to go out with.

Cost of living was relatively high as I was in a city but lower than many cities.

The nightlife in the area was great but it wasn't something I took advantage of.

The work has a big emphasis on charity work and fundraising so a lot of time was spent doing so. I was working with my team to organise an event that would take place after my internship ends and have been invited to that event.