Spring Insight Programme Review

The insight was great. We were given a series of presentations everyday on different divisions/banking topics, these were: Global Financial Advisory, merger markets, Debt Advisory & Restructuring, Equity Advisory, M&A Tactcics and Wealth Management & Trust. It really depended on your own personal interests which you enjoyed most, but my favourite were the M&A Tactics and Wealth Management & Trust. There was also on one day volunteering which made the Spring Week Programme especially unique - this took place at Body & Soul, where we helped set up a super heroes themed event for children. The most enjoyable event I found was a lesson given on making presentations and communicating with people - Rothschild brought in externally two teachers who are top in their business, having advised politicians and also senior people in the banking industry. Rothschild has probably one of the best buildings of all the banks - it has its own archives, which you visit during the insight, and a rooftop garden. It also has hundreds of antiques and paintings dotted across the floors.

Rothschild took all the stops during the spring week. There was a lunch organised where we could network with recent graduates at the bank. An afternoon was organised where we also networked with GFA Assistant Directors and Directors. They organised on the first day during the evening a bar outing where we could get to know better others also doing the Spring Week, with drinks and snacks.

HR were always present in case we had any questions. We were given to slots of work shadowing, each 90 minutes, where we could ask questions and also gain an idea on what certain divisions of the GFA did on a day to day basis. My only complaint was that we received very little help on our presentation, which we presented to employees at the end of the week.

Having been given lessons on making presentations and then presenting your own presentation at the end of the week, my communicating and presentation skills have certainly improved. My networking has also improved since we had two networking sessions on the Spring Week while also

The insight was incredibly well organised. We all received our own planners with a timetable in them as well as our allotted groups for giving a presentation and also work shadowing. Rothschild also gave us £20 in vouches to use throughout the week for lunch (1 lunch was supplied to us at Rothschild). Rothschild also paid for travel to the building and for accommodation to those who did not live in London. There was never a hiccup throughout the week and HR was always present in case we needed them.

The atmosphere was very relaxed and amicable. There was not a single person I disliked on the programme and everyone got on. There was never a feeling you were being continuously assessed and you could really be yourself.

We had a presentation workshop given to us by outside experts, Swordpoint which was particularly useful. They used video cameras to help us see our weaknesses and improve our presentation skills. We also gave a presentation at the end of the week where we were then questioned by senior members of Rothschild which was a great but also nerve-racking experience.

I work shadowed two different employees, one in the Energy and Power Division, the other in the Healthcare Division. I was shown around their offices and introduced to other members of their divisions. They also showed me pitchbooks, which they make on a regular basis, and also some of their models. Work shadowing was also an opportunity to ask as many questions as we wanted, not just about their respective divisions but also about Rothschild in general.

At workshadowing, we had plenty of opportunity to ask questions and explore the culture further. We were also shown around the office and met other members of staff. On one day we spent the morning at the charity, Body & Soul, where we created a superhero themed room for the children. This showed me Rothschild's commitment to the greater community and openness to staff volunteering.

The Spring Insight Week reinforced my commitment to go into banking but it also allowed me to explore which divisions and sectors of banking most interested me. We had presentations on Merger Markets, Debt Advisory & Restructuring, Wealth Management & Trust, Equity Advisory and Global Financial Advisory. Rothschild also discussed further opportunities for undergraduates and graduates, such as their internship programme.

£20 for lunch (1 lunch was supplied free of charge at Rothschild). £100/night for those who did not live in London Travel expenses were paid for, by filling out an expense form and supplying receipts.

There were two official networking events: A buffet lunch with recent graduates which was very casual. An afternoon tea with Directors/assistant directors. We had assigned tables with spaces in between and employees alternated every fifteen minutes. Work shadowing was also an opportunity to network since we were introduced to other members of their division.

The lunch was helpful as many of the recent graduates could give us advice on internships and graduate programmes. However, it was somewhat chaotic and rather cramped due to the small room. The afternoon tea was especially nice where we used one of the boardrooms with a fantastic view over the city. It was also well organised because the directors moved tables so we were all given an opportunity to speak to them.

We were given a presentation on Community Investment at Rothschild where we told that the company was relaxed about giving time to employees to volunteer. Apart from volunteering with Rothschild at charities, I did not learn about any other outside activities - this could have been asked though during my work shadowing or with HR.

Certainly!