Analyst Summer Placement Review

My role as an analyst was really enjoyable. From week one I was given tasks which were really high priority within my department, and was given a lot of responsibility to complete them, My team were all really supportive, providing advice and guidance when needed. Living with other summer interns was also great fun, and we did loads of fun trips out on weekends and in the evenings - like going to the beach and Thorpe Park.

My team and colleagues all made me feel highly valued. I was always included in any meeting which my colleagues were in, copied into highly confidential emails as well as invited to any meals or drinks after work. My work was used in high level management meeting which I was credited for. I was treated exactly the same as much more experienced employees. I sometimes forget I'm a summer intern!

My managers were very very approachable (in comparison to other placements I've done). I'd feel confident approaching managers a few levels above me. Having 1-2-1 sessions with my line manager were really beneficial, and a good time to talk about how things were going. There is also a huge support network of people to support summer interns, including the grad team (who were very friendly), a graduate Buddy in your stream, a Graduate Talent Management, fellow summer interns as well as a Employee Assistance Programme.

The levels varied. I usually had work to get on with, however on any occasions where I had not very much work from my boss there was always loads to be getting on with, such as: completing objectives and leadership behaviours, setting up meeting with people in different departments, going on learning visits to different sites, working on our charity fundraising project and preparing for the final presentation.

I was given really high levels of responsibility within my role. My analysis was included in Centrica's response to a government consultation. I worked on key approval forecasts which fed into a key delivery plan, and worked on the shut down of the delivery of a project. Most of this work was independently done, with support from the team when I needed it.

The biggest skills which I developed have been my communicate the results of my findings with others, my Excel skills (I now know what a Power Pivot is), as well as analysis. Some of this comes from training sessions and workshops, but most of it is on the job. A workshop called Present with Impact also deserves a mention. It's run by a guy called Adrian Kirk (search for "More Than Words"), who really knows his stuff, and taught us so much about presenting I hadn't even considered.

My office was generally quite quiet, however the people I worked with were good fun. The general theme is one of hard work however. Everyone is always up for a chat, and my boss is usually happy for me to go and talk to someone for an hour to learn more about their role, or ask questions.

The graduate team are really good. You can always drop them an email or give them a call before starting the placement and they'll get back to you with answers promptly. Communication before the placement was also fantastic, I had phone calls with analyst grads, WhatsApp groups, live Facebook group chats, and loads of phone calls, as well as a buddy to email. All development days and transport were well organised, including after work dodge ball sessions etc.

The present with impact session, development days and other talks within my team were all really well run, and really enjoyable. For a relatively short 10 week placement I was impressed.

At the end of the placement there is a calibration event, which involves submitting objectives and leadership behaviours, presenting to a group of managers and a meeting about your performance with you line manager. If your good enough you'll get offered a place on the graduate scheme!

We did a few nights out on weekends to nearby bars and clubs. Some of us also visited Thorpe Park which is nearby as well as the beach. Ordering takeaway on a Thursday and eating outside in the lawn was also good fun,

All accommodation and bills were covered, and the local Egham/Staines area wasn't too pricey.

Not brilliant in the local area, there are a couple of bars and nightclubs in Windsor which are OK however.

After work meals & drinks, trips to the beach, Thorpe Park, tennis, dodge ball, barbecues etc. Living with other summer interns means that there usually something going on,