Compliance Summer Analyst Review

I really enjoyed working at Goldman Sachs this summer. I was able to gain valuable insight into the type of work that a leading investment bank does and as a summer analyst in Compliance I was able to develop a more wholesome view of the work that the bank does and a better understanding of the financial services industry as a whole.

I felt extremely valued by my colleagues - I did two rotations for 5 weeks each and felt that everyone within my team was extremely welcoming and more than willing to give me their time so I could develop my understanding of Compliance. As well as this, the work that I did during my internship had value which I think as an intern for 10 weeks is important. Aside from within my team, everyone I encountered at the bank was extremely friendly and welcoming.

At Goldman Sachs, we had two reviews with our managers and with HCM. I had weekly meetings with both of my managers during my rotations so we could discuss my progress and the projects that I was working on. Outside of these meetings, my managers were both extremely approachable and I would consistently feel comfortable asking them for advice. Other senior members of staff were also extremely approachable and provided me with support and guidance throughout my internship.

As with day-to-day work, there are times when work can be busier than usual. Across the ten weeks I was generally fairly busy and consistently had work and projects for various individuals to be working on. We also had a group project, which is when work became a little busier and it was important that we were able to balance our work.

During my placement I was given a lot of responsibility. During my first rotation, I was assigned a project to work on which I was given full responsibility for and presented on at the end of my rotation. For our group project, we were also given full responsibility. As well as this, with any work I was given - I was generally given free rein to decide how to approach it, and I was encouraged to ensure I kept those who I was responsible to posted on the work I was doing.

The skills I have developed and training I have received will hugely assist me in my degree studies - particularly in the area of time management. As I was given several tasks at a time, I learnt to organise my time and to plan my time in order to achieve the most I could within that day. As well as this, I developed my communication skills as I was always encouraged to meet as many people as possible across Compliance and within the business to develop my understanding of the bank.

The general atmosphere in my office was one that was friendly and welcoming. Everyone was keen to meet the interns and to help them out, I was able to develop some invaluable working relationships as a result of this atmosphere. As well as being a friendly atmosphere, it was also an extremely hard-working environment where everyone was working, committed and seemed to be passionate about the work that they were doing.

The internship was extremely well organised. Across the ten weeks, we had various talks and interactive sessions with senior members across the business from various divisions. We also had skills based workshops such as communication workshops and focusing on "Building your brand." There were also breakfasts/lunches with senior members of Compliance where we would be able to ask questions and learn more about their careers and their experiences at the bank.

Through the events organised by HCM, it was clear that the company was highly invested in ensuring that we developed personally and professionally whilst we were at the firm. I feel that I was able to learn a lot and I developed many transferable skills that will be useful in the future. During our reviews with HCM we completed self-reviews and we were able to discuss progress and areas of improvement and discuss our targets.

Future employment prospects at the bank are extremely appealing as it is an organisation where it really emphasises the importance and well being of its people. During my time at Goldman Sachs I was able to develop an understanding of the financial services industry and hope to continue doing so in the future.

As it was summer and there were hundreds of interns working at the bank, there was a good social scene amongst us. As well as this, my team often went out for drinks. There was a particularly good social scene amongst students which was aided by events organised by HCM such as drinks events and the annual intern summer social which allowed us to interact with other interns in other divisions who we might not have interacted with otherwise.

I was living at a relative's during my internship so did not have to forego the expensive rent that is London. The bank did provide a relocation sum which would undoubtedly have helped those living in London. They also provided links to sites where you could find reasonably priced accommodation that was close to work. With regard to socialising, it was rather expensive as we were working in the centre of the city.

I did not tend to go out during my internship as where I was living was not that close to work. I often went out for drinks with fellow interns and/or colleagues. There were several bars, pubs and restaurants nearby as Goldman Sachs is in a great location - by the river and close to Covent Garden, a better location for an office than say, Canary Wharf.

As we were only there for ten weeks it was difficult to become fully involved in activities outside of work, however, there are lots of networks at work with several activities and opportunities on offer for their members. As well as this, every employee takes part in Community Teamworks which is the opportunity to go and do community work away from the office, with other people at the bank.