Summer Intern - Graduate Development Program (GDP) Review

Really enjoyed it, Willis Towers Watson is a great company, with a very positive work culture,

Colleagues were all very welcoming, and keen to converse with me and go for coffee chats, as well as inviting me to all social events. On our second day the interns had a welcoming by the Deputy CEO as well as a variety of other senior figures.

We given multiple structures of support: 1) Line Manager - Managers were generally supportive throughout, interns have a mid-term review which is an informal check in to see if all is okay. 2) Team Buddy - All interns were all allocated team buddies, a less senior team member to support with smaller enquiries. 3) Senior Mentor - The senior mentor was a great support throughout the internship. My senior mentor arranged meetings for me with people in different business areas that I was interested, as well as providing more general career guidance. 4) Graduate Buddy - This was for more informal support or advice by a recent graduate. I was paired with a buddy who had studied same degree at my university which was really useful. 5) Graduate HR Team - The HR team were really supportive for general aspects.

It was a really good level of work. It was enough to be challenging but at the same time we were all able to leave at 5.30pm, in fact my manager would often encourage me to go home at 5.30pm and not to feel the need to stay later. The thing I liked the most was that I was given a range of short and long term projects, so I always had something to work on.

I was given a very good amount of responsibility. All jobs I was asked to do were relevant and real work that was going to be used within the business which was very encouraging.

The training received was very impressive. Early on we had two day general business training, as well as a general financial industry training. We had loads of Lunch and Learn sessions, were we had free lunch and different business speakers. The company also hired external companies to work with us on Impact Training and Presentation Skills which was extremely useful.

It was very relaxed and warm. People were very talkative and social.

The structure was very impressive, our two months were prepared in detail before we began. Every week we had different intern activities from training to social events which was a nice break from work.

We were heavily invested in, with senior people in the firm supporting us in development as well as external firms providing us with both soft skills and technical training.

The graduate scheme is very impressive with two weeks training in New York. The internship also offers opportunity for a graduate scheme offer.

The social life was great with a very fun, the small intake of interns meant by the end of the 8 weeks everyone was very close with each other.

Lived at home so costs were really good for me.

Very good nightlife next to office.

Interns had loads of fun social events such as cocktail mixing class and a ping pong night at a bar. We also got half a day off to do some volunteering in Battersea park.