Barclays Technology Spring week Knutsford Review

It was a very interesting experience. I enjoyed learning more about the different technologies. I enjoyed the talks and also a group work we were supposed to do. However, I was a bit disappointed from the shadowing sessions. In the first one I was with an employee that I felt like didn`t really liked his job and felt a bit frustrated. He didn`t really know what to do with us and we ended up chatting about random things rather than getting to know more about what the job really consist of. The second shadowing session was better. It was a interesting talk on financial security. However, again, I didn`t really get to know what the job consist of.

I felt really valued. We stayed in a nice hotel with breakfast and got an allowance for lunch and dinner. Coaches were provided for getting us to the campus and all of the organisers as well as people we met were very nice and helpful. I didn`t feel at any time afraid to ask any questions.

We received a good guidance in terms of the organisation of the Spring week. Apart from the first day when we goth the email about when the coaches are leaving pretty late the organisation was very good and clear and I always knew what is going to happen and where should I go.

I got some interesting information about my CV during the CV workshop that I am going to definitely implement. I also fell like I got more comfortable with asking questions and networking. The most important think I took is that I realised what I do expect from my job and what working conditions I would like to have.

It was very well structured. I would maybe appreciate more less technical talks or more practical workshops. Unfortunately, I didn`t really get to know what exactly do the days of most of the people who work here look like. However, I feel like the programme was balanced and very well organised.

The general atmosphere was very good. I was afraid at the beginning that the atmosphere is going to be too competitive, but I don`t think that was a problem. In our group I feel that we worked very well and collaborated. I also spoke with many people and most of them were very friendly and interesting.

We had a couple workshops. Especially the CV workshop was very useful. I also enjoyed the leadership workshop. That was a great fun and it really helped to make sure that one keeps the right values on the top of ones mind. We didn`t receive any training but I suppose thats because of lack of time.

Unfortunately, not very much. During the first shadowing session the employee didn`t really know what to do with us. During the first few days everyone was telling us that for example the work-life balance is very good, however, from the shadowing session we found out that this employee doesn`t get any breaks (only a lunch break) apart from toilet and smoking break so he started smoking. I was also a bit disappointed because he seemed like his work is not very creative and he seemed a bit frustrated.

In a way yes and in a way not. In the first days everyone was telling us that the culture here is great - later on form our shadowing session I had a different feeling. I also heard form other people that their person they were shadowing isn`t very happy working here.

We were reimbursed travel and living expenses and food.