Intern Review

I really enjoy working at Metaswitch. There is a really good work-life balance. Everyone at Metaswitch is very friendly and there is always someone there to help. My team has been very inclusive and I feel a valued part of their team. There are quite a few other interns which means there is a good social side to work as well, there have been a few events organised for us and we have also organised a few events between ourselves.

This summer I felt like the guidance from my manager was lacking. It felt like he was a bit too busy for me. I wasn't given a clear training plan or told exactly how much work I was expected to get through. However, my mentor was very easy to approach and she always helped with all my questions. I never felt like I was unable to do my work because my mentor could help. A little more guidance at the beginning could have gone a long way.

I was given a project at the beginning of my internship and I could set my own pace to complete it. This meant I had a good balance. My manager and mentor were very flexible and I could work around events I wanted to go to like a rounders match at lunchtime or a physio appointment by coming in early or leaving late. The flexibility was nice and it allowed for my work day to occasionally be broken up if I wanted it to be.

Each time I have come back to Metaswitch I have been given more and more responsibility. This year I was working on a project which went straight to an external company. It was therefore important that what I did was clear and easy to use. Last time I was working on internal system but this time on external systems. The increasing responsibility has shown me there is real scope to progress upwards in Metaswitch

My department was really fun to work in. There was always someone to chat to if I wanted a short break from work. My team went on a morale trip to the Crystal Maze in my first few weeks. This was so much fun and really helped me to get to know the team better. Everyone in my team gets on really well which makes it really nice atmosphere. My team are also very willing to do things with me like self defense class or ultimate frisbee.

I thought the internship was pretty well organised. I was sent a welcoming email from my manager and I was also contacted by HR beforehand to make for a smooth transition into work. I was given a lot of advanced notice for potential events for interns. My manager seemed to lack a training plan for me and a plan for his expectations for me over the summer. This was the most frustrating thing as I felt I lacked guidance.

The social scene between all the interns was really great. We largely ate lunch together most days and went to a pub lunch on Fridays. There were also a few house parties and a night out in the Westend. You could always find an intern to join one of the activities with you as well. We also created a group chat so everyone could be included in events if you wanted to be. Not everyone took part in everything and that was also fine, no one was forced to do more than they wanted to.

Enfield is pretty quiet there aren't many clubs but there are plenty of pubs. There were drinks after work for new starters almost every Monday. The Westend etc is close by tube/train. We organised one big night out into London and it was very easy via public transport. The nightlife can be as much or as little as you want it to be. There were a few smaller nights out in Enfield too as well as a few house parties which are also really fun.

There were so many opportunities at work to get involved in. There are so many sports to take part in which are largely free to join in. There are also non sporting activities too. Each summer there are inter departmental competitions which range from Bake Off to Rounders. Interns are encouraged to join in and it is a really good way to get to know people in the company as well as get to know your team better. There is now an annual intersn vs grads rounders match which is also good fun to take part in - and can get quite competitive!