Calculation Agent intern Review

I received a good first hand insight into the types of tasks involved on a daily basis, and I felt there was a good balance between learning and doing useful work for the company.

My colleagues were very willing to explain their perspective on their job/a career in the industry. They were all very friendly.

I felt there was a good balance between support given and allowing me to figure out an action plan for a given task. However, I wasnt given a huge amount of support in other aspects such as meetings with my manager, or learning about the general structure of the bank.

I was generally kept busy, with a particularly high workload initially - for the majority of the internship, I generally had a list of a few things to be getting on with. However, in the final week, due to other distruptions, I wasnt given much work and was left at times, sitting with nothing do! However, I took the initiative to research areas of the bank myself, and was able to visit other departments to broaden my exposure to the bank.

I was given much more responsibility that expected, and ended up leading a group of 3 interns in a data cleanup project, entering crutial information into databases. Although we were generally shown where to source information, the work wasnt always checked, and I was responsible for explaining the tasks to my team aswell.

I developed advanced Excel skills, which will speed up my use of this software, and I am able to produce more sophisticated spreadsheets which will always be useful in a career in the banking industry. However, any other skills or training received were job specific, such as use of the various systems and databases.

The atmosphere was light hearted and my colleagues were always up for a joke. However, they were also dedicated to completing their role.

Computer and systems access, as well as the whole HR onboarding process was very badly set up, and took over 2 weeks before I had full access to the systems required to complete tasks. However, the organisers made every effort to help us chase up the relevant teams. The organisers also included weekly meetings to track our progress.

I received little formal training - other than a detailed and useful Excel course. All other training was informal and specific to a particular task, which wouldnt be particularly useful in terms of personal development. However, in preparation for a presentation at the end of the internship, we received a total of over 6 hours practice and presentation skills training.

I have been invited back to an internship next year, and this is considered a good route securing a long term career with the firm.

I made a good bond with my fellow interns and we reguarly went to lunch together, as well as a couple of drinks nights as well. This was helped by the fact that 3 interns worked in my team, on the same project for some of the time, so we were in close proximity and able to develop a friendship.

Considering the area was central London, prices werent exorbitant, and we could all afford to socialise in the cafes, restaurants, coffee shops and bars in the area without price being an issue. However, the cost wasnt particularly cheap, and a night out put us out by approximately £25 per person.

There were a number of bars, which were fairly quiet, but we didnt venture out to night clubs.

There was a gym available, and the department frequently organised a drinks night. However, there weren't many other opportunities I was aware of.