Internship Review at Schroders

The Role

Role Description

Supporting the Private Bankers in their daily roles. Preparing client documents, researching new products, constructing client investment models, etc.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Everyone I worked with was great and helpful. I knew it was a role I wanted to have more exposure to before I started, and the only downside are FSA restrictions not allowing you to be more involved with clients. Summer internships can also be quite frustrating - you can't fully appreciate what a fulltime role would be like as they tend to be project based but all in all I enjoy my work.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

I think you need to know your place as the intern. Colleagues are different and some really value your opinion and want to get you involved in what you do, others tend to be quite passive and see you as an extra set of hands. It's up to you to make the most of it and realise where you can add value and who will give you the time and opportunity to do so.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

As much or as little as I needed. People were always happy to help and I even got negative feedback from not involving management in the work I was doing when I didn't need help.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Kept very busy. I took it upon myself to get involved in other things other than my projects whoch meant going for client meetings, investment seminars, etc.

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

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

Not very much in terms of how the business would perform without me. You're only there for 3 months so nobody will give you a serious role.

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

I'd personally come from a whole year working for another firm and I saw this as an opportnity to see another area I want to move into after I graduate. I think in terms of improving my outlook/graduate job opportunities/work ethic for final year that had already been done but it's fantastic to get as much experience as possible before you graduate.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

As I say some colleagues you get on really well with, others you don't. That's the same in any office. I found the people I worked with great and the atmosphere was quite relaxed and friendly.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Pretty well. We had talks from senior management as an intern group and had good induction training before we started. It had been thought through and planned well.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Three days classroom training and opportunity to have other IT skills improved. Weekly talks with lunches and chance to network with senior management which was great.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

• Subsidised/Company Gym
• Healthcare/Dental

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

I'd love to work there but fro various reasons such as current climate, job opportunities there at the moment, etc. it may not be possible. I would certainly accept an offer if I were given one.

Other Information

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Some were keen to be sociable, others kept themselves to themselves. I got in with a good group of people and we tended to see each other a few times a week after work for drinks or a meal.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

London is expensive and something you'll just have to get over if you want the experience. Living in London if your family aren't local can also be pricey, but if it's only for 8/10 weeks I'd just book into a local uni halls and suffer the prices.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

OK, but working centrally always gives you opportunity to go elsewhere.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Not that many. The interns had socials but as a company there didn't seem to be many sports/social events well advertised.

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?

I'd thoroughly recommend getting some experience even if you end up not liking it. It's great to have some idea of what you do enjoy and what you don't. The university summers may seem like a great chance to do nothing for 4 months but working for 3 of them, earning decent money and meeting new people in the same boat as you is a lot more enjoyable than it looks on paper.

Review 11/25 for Schroders

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