Research assistant Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement at the Bank. It has exposed me to the inner workings of a central bank and given me opportunities to see the forefront of economic research. My colleagues have been extremely welcoming and helpful during my time here, and the wider staff create an inclusive and interesting environment to work in.

My colleagues have always made me feel very valued. I have received feedback throughout my placement, be that on a formal basis for recurring reviews, or when necessary following an individual piece of work or project. My team are always thankful for my output, even when it is the business as usual tasks I regularly complete.

I have received significant support from my manager and other senior colleagues throughout my placement. I have always been encouraged to ask questions and learn, rather than to struggle and fend for myself. Management have always been happy to talk regarding any issues, be that work related, or things more work/life balance related.

The department within which I work is operational. As a result, I generally find myself to be very busy during some parts of the month and not so busy during others. Considering this, there has often been opportunity to take on tasks outside of those I am required to complete on a daily basis, which has kept me busy at times and kept the work a little more varied.

I have been given a fair amount of responsibility over the year. I have had to liaise with contacts at other banks and check the work that others have produced. However, for the most part I do not have the final say on anything of any consequence and the level of responsibility that I have had to take on peaked at a fairly early stage.

The skills that I have developed will most definitely support me in my future working life. I have become proficient in excel and the experience of working in an office will be invaluable for the future. As will the confidence that I have gained in working with senior members of the institution and external organisations. The extent to which it will assist my degree I am unsure.

My office is generally fairly professional. There is also strong sense of camaraderie across the team. Everyone is very friendly and happy to lend their expertise and knowledge to help you with your work and challenge you to do more. People are very keen to do things outside of work as well, which creates a good atmosphere while at work.

The work placement was well organised for the most part. I have been integrated into a team as a proper member, rather than tagged on for the sake of it. I contribute just as anyone else would and appreciate that opportunity. There was at times a lack of clarity surrounding the process by which we can apply to come back as graduates.

The Bank offers a number of courses. These range from more technical based seminars that cover software such as Microsoft Excel and programming languages such as R, to general competencies such as presentational skills and leadership. They also offer daily seminars that cover a wide spectrum of research that generally focuses on economics and finance. I have been encouraged to take advantage of these resources throughout my time here.

The Bank would be a great place to have a career. It is a fairly large organisation that has many varied, interesting and important departments. Placement students are encouraged to apply to come back on the graduate scheme and are supported in this endeavour. The vast majority of the placement student in my cohort have applied to come back in some capacity.

There is a good social scene between the cohort of placement students of which I have been a part. There are roughly forty of us and socials are organised at least once, usually twice a week. These generally receive a good attendance and a fairly strong friendship group has formed between those on placement. At the beginning, the Bank put on one or two events to encourage us to meet each other.

The cost of living is extortionate. London is an extremely expensive place to live and socialise, especially on the wage of a placement student. Considering this, there are a lot of free things to do throughout London, relative to other cities in which I have spent time. Therefore, it is possible to socialise at not too great a cost.

The nightlife in London is fairly similar to any other city. However, in the city, where the Bank is, it is very expensive.