Sales Intern Review

The internship was varied and exciting. Everyday I felt like I was learning new things, and I was supported by colleagues who really cared that I was making the most out of my 8 weeks with TR. Overall the workplace environment was friendly, and also extremely dynamic. I am very glad that I applied to the Thomson Reuters summer internship programme.

My manager made lots of effort to get to know me and learn about me. We would regularly go for coffee breaks and discuss how my internship was going. On top of this, I was given a mentor- who would also look out for me and regularly meet for me. The team I was working with was extremely helpful whenever I had questions and would take time out of their schedules just to help me.

My manager, my mentor, and the manager of my team all gave me advice and guidance on a number of important things. For example, all three of them held sessions with me where we would go through interview prep and discuss employability options- with a focus towards become a more savvy and attractive future applicant. My manager also helped me tailor and polish my CV into a far more professional and concise document.

The work life balance at Thomson Reuters seemed very flexible. My expected hours were 9-5 and often my manager would encourage me to leave then, as he didn't want to overwork me. I think ultimately, it comes down to the task you are given and your own personal work ethic. I looked to stay later, but only because I wanted to repay my team for the faith they had shown in me.

We were given a good amount of responsibility on the internship programme. Whilst the interns were not selling/pitching the products to clients , we were given numerous client facing roles. These included contacting media clientele and asking for feedback on a new app we had released, and providing clients with information about upcoming events that TR would be hosting.

Extremely useful skills were developed during my internship. Firstly, I learned a lot about the financial world, the key players, and the relevant mechanisms- which have helped me in my financial modules in my final year. Secondly, I learned a great deal about how selling really works- that it is not about pitching features, but about solving problems and finding solutions. This has really helped me in my approach to sales and I am sure it will help me for the rest of my career.

Very fun with lots of laughing and smiles. I really embraced the culture at TR as soon as I arrived- the office was full of interesting outgoing people, who were very fun to work with. It was the complete opposite of what I was expecting, and it was fantastic to be a part of. It was hard not to like it at TR.

I can't really think of any ways in which the internship organisation could be improved. Everything seemed to run smoothly and there were numerous avenues of support that I could turn to if I needed any help with anything. Every friday morning there was a 'focus session' for interns- which allowed us to meet senior figures from within the company and ask important questions.

As I have mentioned earlier, there was a great deal of interview prep and employability training that was given to me. On top of this, the open culture at TR meant that I could (and did) go for coffee meetings with important people within the company. Their doors always seemed open. This gave me a great opportunity to ask important questions about how to improve and who to build networks with,

In the last week of the internship, I was formally assessed for a position on the Graduate scheme and was successful. I have accepted the offer and will start the Graduate scheme next September. This is something I am very excited about- as I had such a positive experience on the internship that I am very passionate about TR.

Many of the interns were outgoing and friendly, and almost every friday a large group of us would go for drinks after to work to socialise. There were also events hosted by TR, such as a welcome event and a leaver's event which gave the interns a great opportunity to bond. We would also take lunch together and socialise in the canteen.

It's London, so the prices were of course extortionate. The room I rented during the internship was poky at best and cost me £200/week. This is the downside of any form of employment in London- it is extremely hard to save and you have to become accustomed to spending lots of money for something you could get for half the price elsewhere.

Nightlife was good. There a lots of bars in Canary Wharf and a decent club. It's not the greatest nightlife ever, but central London is 10 minutes away on the tube and the bars in the area always have a good, busy atmosphere, regardless of which day of the week you visit them. Overall, it's pretty good- and the bars were right by the offices- which is handy.

There was a football team that played every week that was open to newcomers. There was also a number of charity events that you could get involved in. During my time at TR, I raised money for the London Air Ambulance charity at the 2016 London Beach Rugby event in Finsbury square and volunteering at Barking Food Bank.