Internship Review at BlackRock

The Role

Role Description

The internship consisted of 2 five week rotations. In each rotation interns were given a stock to analyse and present to the team at the end of the rotation. To perform this research we had access to sellside analysts/brokers and sometimes the CEO's of the companies.

I attended team meetings and company meetings on a daily basis.

There were 2 portfolio challenges; one for Equity interns to complete on their own and an ETF portfolio challenge in groups of 6.

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Equity Portfolio Management is a great industry to work in. At Blackrock you are surrounde by the star performers of this industry who are friendly and eager to help.

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

People were eager to help but were very unlikely to buy positions based on an intern's research. I believe it is harder to really contribute value in this industry until you have worked for more than a year. People understand this and give you the time to learn.

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

My managers were both brilliant and inspiring. I received extensive guidance on how to model/value/look at stocks. They were also very helpful in explaining what a career in the industry would entail down the line.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

My normal hours were 7:15-7 and I was constantly busy throughout the day. nearer the presentations I often stayed later than this; however, this did not compare to IB hours, while providing an experience as exciting and intense as IB.

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Alot of my work was unlikely ever to be used. But I was allowed to organise meetings with senior sell-side researchers whenever I believed it would be helpful. I was also able to question the CEO/CTO pair of a FTSE 250 company I had worked on and provide some read across to other stocks which I believe was valued.

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Company analysis skills are incredibly useful in any profession. The discipline I learnt will be relevant to my science degree.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Massively exciting environment to work in during the market turmoil.

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The group portfolio challenge had technology teething difficulties and the placement began before University term ended. I believe both these points will be sorted out by next year.

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Top fund managers spent time passing on their experience!

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• Company Parties/Events
• Healthcare/Dental

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I would love a graduate job at Blackrock so much that I would work for free!

Other Information

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Good scene which the 45 interns arranged ourselves.

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

It's the City.

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

It's the City.

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

Some after work drinks.

In addition to these questions, is there any extra information you would like to leave about your experiences on your work placement that other students may be interested in?

Make sure you apply to the area you want to work in. If you want to run money eventually apply to PMG(portfolio management group). Equity at BlackRock is a great place to work and I would recommend the internship to anyone interested in investing.

Review 46/55 for BlackRock

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