Internship Review at BlackRock

The Role

Role Description

Equity PMG interns were put on a rotation this year & so I have spent 5 weeks with the global team & 5 weeks with the UK team.
I was given a project to do for each: a macro outlook on the BRIC economies & a summary of their stockmarkets for the global team & an investment case for a company that included building my own financial model for the UK team.
Interns from al departments are put into teams & run a phantom portfolio through the internship, on which they present at the end of the period.
I also spent much of my days attending broker & company meetings with the analysts/portfolio managers.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Fascinating industry.
Great exposure to members of the firm at all levels.
Great atmosphere.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

With only 5 weeks on each team, it inevitably takes some time to bond with those around you; but people were extremely friendly & accommodating at all times & people took an active interest in what you were doing & asking how they could help in several cases.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Clearly varies by team, project & manager.
In my experience, people are very happy to let you get on with with your work & trust you to ask questions/for help when appropriate. Whenever I did request help/advice, it was offered unremitingly.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Again, this varies by project & team and how familiar you are with the material already. I found myself with plenty to do at all times, although things obviously get fairly intense as deadlines approach...

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I was left very much to decide how to develop my projects & choose how to go about getting them done. Advice on how to get the most from my time was there when I wanted it and there were various meetings that I had to attend occasionaly, but how I spent my time was largely my own prerogative.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I've finished uni now so that part is irrelevant.
I want to work here (& in the industry if not) so I'd hope that the skills learnt this summer will prove fairly useful...

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

People obviously running large amounts of money & they take this very seriously, but this does not prevent the office having a very amicable & sanguine atmosphere.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

The lady who ran the internship has just taken a career-break & so this year's organisation is probably largely irrelevant.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

I'm not sure I really see what investment in an intern's "personal development" one might expect.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• Company Parties/Events
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

If you're interested in the industry & are attracted to a flat organisational structure which (in my experiences) operates very much as a meritocracy, then I can't recommend them more highly.
Once the BGI deal is complete, it will no doubt become even more appealing.

Other Information

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Last year's intake was twice the size & the social scene was fantastic (this is my second internship with the firm). This year's was much smaller & the dynamic changed as a result.
It is entirely up to you to choose how much you socialise, so make of it whatever you will.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

No idea, I commuted from my parents house.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

You're in London, enough said.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Again, you're in London: if there's something you want to try, they probably do it somewhere in town.

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?

Think carefully about which department you apply for, they are very different.
AMG - client relationship management, pitching & marketing etc.
PMG - reseraching companies and running the actual portfolios.
PAG - blackrock solutions, running the systems which support the business (and more).

Review 8/55 for BlackRock

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