Service Optimisation Assitant Manager Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my internship, It was really good to be a part of a small team working on a number of live projects. Being able to shadow employees in other departments for a day also allowed me to experience Lloyds to a fuller extent. There were a number of other activites I got involved in including helping run a charity challenge and working on a publication for a diversity and inclusion project.

Everyone in the office was really friendly and were always happy to go out of their way to help me. In the first few weeks of the internship the work was still relatively new to me and so I found it quite challenging, however, there was always help available and being able to speak to different colleagues about the challenges I faced allowed me to tackled them from different angles.

I had a scheduled 1:1 with my line manager each week where we ran through any issues I may have had. She was always happy to answer questions and was very accomodating when I was ill for a part of the internship. I liked how I was largely left to my own devices, but the support was there when I needed it. I was also put in contact with a buddy who was part of my wider team and whose advice proved invaluable on issues unrelated to the work I was doing.

As my role involved communicating with a number of different stakeholders, I was constantly in teleconferences or face to face meetings getting others opinions on the work I had produced. I was also working on a number of projects for other colleagues. Time management was key in order to get all of it done by the deadlines set.

During my placement I was working within a small team and was given role of 'lead' on a 6 week service optimisation project. I had to coordinate the teams activities as well as work with a number of other key stakeholders in different areas of digital. I was largely left to my own devices and it was up to me to make sure deadlines were met.

Having already graduated, the skills I have learnt in this placement will be invaluable in my future career. I have developed sharp analytical skills whilst working alongside a BA as well as improving my ability on programmes like excel. Further to this I have learn alot about the banking sector and in particular how digital plays a large part in its future.

Working in Digital meant there was a very relaxed atmosphere, different to other areas of LBG. Hotdesking allowed me to sit with other teams and get different insights into the business. The smart casual dress code was also a plus point. The table tennis tables on each floor provided a bit of fun after work on a Friday.

The first few weeks of internships provided a nice introduction to the world of digital. Meetings with heads of different departments in had been organised for all the interns giving us an insight into their various roles. There were also weekly 'drop-in' sessions where interns could go along to discuss any issues they had. There were also a number of intern social events organised which proved a good way of getting to know interns in different teams.

For digital there was a digital academy which we could sign up to to undertake technical training in coding. There were also a number of weekly drop in sessions where we could go to learn how to start web developing. As we were treated as a full time employee, we had to undertake the manatory employee training.

I'd really like to be considered for a place on the digital grad scheme. I've had a really enjoyable 10 week experience and would relish the opportunity to be a part of a such a growing department. The grad scheme comprises of 3 8 month rotations allowing you to experience the different areas in digital.

There were always drinks being organised by both fellow interns as well as the team I was in. The team away day was also a really good way to get to know other members of my team on more of a personal level and talk about things other than just work. There were also a number of events organised for interns from all the key business areas.

As I was commuting at home I thankfully didn't have the high cost of living in London, socialising was however quite expensive, but this was to be expected. Travel for the 10 weeks did cost me just under £500. Working in London did however mean we were given a london allowance added to our paycheck.

There were a number of bars which were good for after work drinks as well as one of the best clubs in the world a short walk away. Fabric in Farringdon.

Other than just work, I was involved in a Diversity and Inclusion project for another member of my team. The project, which was about agile/flexible working was aimed at colleagues to help them understand how flexible working could help them. Further to this I was involved in an interns charity challenge, helping to raise money for BBC Children in Need.