Project Assistant in SRS - Supervisory risk specialists Review

by Bank of England

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

3.4/5
  • The Role
    3.2
  • The Company
    3.4
  • The Culture
    3.8

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
  • I enjoyed my time at the Bank a lot. I was based in the PRA, looking at credit and traded risk within banks. I learnt a heck of lot, as all my colleagues were very experienced, having worked in industry for 20+ years or because they had PhDs. The bank itself has a very good culture- anyone is willing to have a coffee to talk about their experience or any particular issues.

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
  • I did feel like a member of the team straight away. My team realised I didn't have a background in risk and made the effort to get me involved. Over time I was given work, and expected to deliver just like any other member of the team. Moreover, I had the chance to move teams within my year at the bank, which has given me more experience in two different technical areas.

    4/5

  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
  • This varied between the two manager's I had. One managed a team of 15, so I was quite a low priority. The other managed 3 others, so I had more contact time with him and was set work on a regular basis. However, both were very approachable and looked after me well.

    3/5

  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
  • This varied across the teams I worked, and depending on the time of year. I was a project assistant, so the work varied dramatically. One project I worked on had a deadline of two weeks, which required longer hours, which I enjoyed. Other projects are other a longer time period, so the work gets spread out more equally.

    4/5

  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
  • I was given a fair bit of responsibility.

    3/5

  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • I went on courses to improve my coding- particular matlab and VBA, all provided by the bank. Moreover, my manager set me work so I could actually put what I learnt into practice which was good. The overall work didn't really relate to my degree, but that was to be expected.

    3/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
  • As I was in a team, and area made up of experienced professionals, the atmosphere was quite serious. It was a quiet workplace, as the work done is of a serious nature. Moreover, there weren't many people under the age of 30. However, this is a one off in the Bank, which tends to be more youthful and lively.

    3/5

  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
  • Not very. I didn't know what area I was working in before I turned up!

    3/5

  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • The bank was very interested in my career development, within and outside the firm. I have been given advice on where to apply to, what places have a good culture etc. Moreover, placement students are encouraged to see other areas of the bank so they can broaden their horizons, and gain more experience.

    4/5

  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
  • Flexi Time

    Sports and Social Club

    Subsidised/Company Gym

    Financial Bonus

    Staff Sales/Staff Shop

    Working from home

    Travel loan

    5/5

  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
  • I have applied for the grad scheme, and have been placed in a pool, so I will be reviewed along with other candidates, when the scheme opens up to all. Other placement students were made offers to come back automatically, unfortunately I was not one of them, which was a shame.

    3/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
  • Yes there was a very active and good group of placement students. We had a social sec who organised at least weekly events, normally happening on a Wednesday or a Thursday. This included a poker night, pub golf, going to a darts/ football bar. I have made a good group of friends through placement which I will keep in touch with.

    5/5

  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
  • I lived in Clapham for the year, which was great fun, and a lively area. But it was a pricy area. Within the activities done in the Bank, normally when going for drinks with my team, managers or more experienced members would take pity on me and buy me drinks which was really nice as the city is a very expensive area to work in. Especially if you eat out for lunch every day.

    3/5

  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
  • The nightlife is great. It's London one of the best areas to go out in, in the world. Aside from being expensive, there is so much to do, and I would recommend people to work in London. I didn't go clubbing that often, as I preferred to spend my money on watching live sport which is in an abundance in London.

    5/5

  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
  • Not really.

    3/5

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Details

Placement (10 Months+)

Economics

London

August 2017


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