Internship Review at Barclays Capital

The Role

Role Description

Daily Duties:
Take minutes in meetings as requires

Main Tasks:
Compile Industry Research- Building Materials, Housing Market, Retail, Public Houses.
Prepare a User Guide for new risk management software
Conduct Monthly Data Quality Analysis for Trade Data and compare to previous months.

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

I felt I was not pushed significantly despite frequently requesting more work, hence occasional boredom.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Immediate team very busy and a lot older. Direct boss' boss was off on Maternity Leave so he was too busy to provide me with work.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Organised weekly speeches from various heads of department and internship required meeting at least three managing directors and seven directors. Felt slightly let down by immediate manager as he was too busy covering for his boss to sufficiently manage me.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

Manager too busy to delegate.

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

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

After moving desk had increased responsibility as was compiling and presenting industry reports but tasks given originally were very straight forward.

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

Mainly developed computer skills which are of no use to my degree but will use communication skills and the information picked up from senior members of the bank in my studies.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

Could hear a pin dropping.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Overall internship structure is excellent, I just had a poor desk.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I matured a lot and took a lot of advise on board from the senior members of the bank that I met with.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• Sports and Social Club
• Company Parties/Events

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

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

Banking is not for me.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The structure of the internship ensured a good social scene between interns.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

High.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Good but expensive and far from the West End.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Loads of company sports teams, Intern sports events and a volunteering day.

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?

Research what you want to do before applying to internships unless you just want a well paid job.

Review 88/88 for Barclays Capital

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