Internship Review at J.P. Morgan

The Role

Role Description

JP Morgan Asset Management - European Equities Division - Behavioural Finance

Working on a quantitative model for a fund, based on the principles of behavioural finance (i.e. a model that tries to exploit inefficiencies in the markets caused by human biases in the investment process)

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Really enjoyable - the team I was working in was brilliant, relaxed but professional, and the work was interesting, though at times I found some specifics aspects of the project to be repetitive and dull. A brilliant window into Asset Management. There were only 20 interns in total, so enough people to find others with common interests, whilst feeling close as a cohort.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I was the only intern on the desk, so they were able to focus their attention on me, and were very good at being encouraging and giving feedback. My manager and desk MD both said how I'd done work of real and lasting value throughout.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The work I did was somewhat self-driven, but where I couldn't resolve queries myself using books or the internet, the team were helpful in answering them.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

A good balance. I had an hour for lunch which I was always able to take fully, and my hours of work were pretty much always 8.30-6.30, during which I was consistently busy, either with my own work, reading, or intern presentations.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Over my own project, entire responsibility, but this was something that wasn't key, but nonetheless useful, to the desk's day-to-day operation.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

We didn't receive any formal training, but the intern presentations were useful, as were the skills I developed on the job (Excel, presenting, general corporate experience, and an insight into the Asset Management industry).

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Relaxed but professional, everyone had a sense of humour!

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

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

The Asset Management intern program at JP Morgan seems to be a little bit less structured than at the investment bank or at the private bank. There was no automatic pipeline from internship to graduate offer (something I believe HR are trying to change), and there weren't really any initiatives to bring the interns together in meaningful tasks (e.g. trading games or team projects).

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

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

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

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 0/10

I found a job elsewhere before my application to JPMAM was fully complete, but I would have liked to take a job with them.

Other Information

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

It was fine - some of the interns weren't seen after the first week - I tried to go for drinks once a week with those that were willing to go out. A couple of heavier nights too...

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

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

London... Though, as long as you were savvy about which bars were doing deals on which nights, it was fine. e.g. a deal came through about a new cocktail bar down the road, giving away two free drinks per person!

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

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

Not much in The City, but I had a good time whenever I went out around work. One particular bar/club, Amber, seemed to feature heavily, even if it was pretty terrible, just because it was close to work...

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

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

There was a corporate/social responsibility day at an inner city farm, which acted as an intern bonding session but otherwise, not much else.

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?

JPMAM is a great place to work - I'd definitely recommend applying to their internship program if you are interested in the Asset Management industry.

Review 81/95 for J.P. Morgan

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