Financial Analyst Review

by American Express

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

Rating

4.1/5
  • The Role
    4.3
  • The Company
    4.1
  • The Culture
    3.8

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
  • The internship was hugely enjoyable, from working on a real project to being taken on some great excursions with the rest of the intern class. For example, we were taken to Brighton, the London Eye and on a Thames cruise. Furthermore, the friendly atmosphere makes working at Amex enjoyable day to day.

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
  • Within my team I was given important tasks which would be utilized by those highest in the company, making me feel like my colleagues did indeed value my work. I assisted them on an array of other tasks and was also asked for assistance by other interns, showing the open atmosphere of the company in collaboration.

    4/5

  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
  • There is a great amount of support available from not only your line manager but also the wider team. Managers from other teams are always willing to help with your project and it is encouraged to go and talk to them for this purpose but also for guidance on working life at the company in general an understanding the different teams.

    5/5

  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
  • Just the right amount - it is possible to work all day every day the entire 10 weeks and come out with a top notch final project but it's encouraged to take time out to socialize and network with colleagues which isn't a common trait of all financial services firms.

    5/5

  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
  • The projects given to interns will actually be used to drive business decisions, so it feels like a lot of responsibility although there is a lot of support given for this. Other than this and assisting the wider team in their day to day tasks, there is not a massive amount of responsibility (but you can always seek it out).

    4/5

  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • The skills I received aren't relevant to my degree but will be extremely useful whichever career path I take. This includes the financial modelling, analytical and presentation skills but also skills in networking, teamwork and leadership. Personal growth and development is a key factor of working life at American Express.

    5/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
  • An extremely friendly, open and collaborative atmosphere. Many different teams and positions of seniority sit together. For example, I worked within the finance division but sat with the business division with a Director and just outside a VP's office. Everybody is very open and interested in what you're doing there.

    4/5

  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
  • Everything was organized perfectly, from collecting our laptops and getting initial training to being taken out for drinks after going on the London Eye or receiving tee shirts for a community day with the rest of the interns. There are also great opportunities set up within work such as a speakers series with senior individuals from different lines of business presenting to the interns so we could understand their work.

    5/5

  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • There is a huge amount of training available. Some of it is directly scheduled in for interns, some is available to everybody and requires the initiative to actually go and take advantage of the opportunities. The variety of networks are also a great way the firm allows you to develop.

    4/5

  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
  • Subsidised Canteen

    Company Parties/Events

    Working from home

    4/5

  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
  • Future employment prospects seem great. It's the kind of place where you are encouraged to rotate through different roles with the potential to work almost anywhere in the world, with the head office being in New York. The path for promotion is less set in stone than at many other companies but it's still possible to rise the ranks quickly if you do good work and network effectively.

    5/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
  • There was an outstanding social scene amongst my colleagues. The various out of work experiences allowed us all to become closer and therefore it felt more like working alongside friends than anything else. This atmosphere is not necessarily extended to superiors but can be depending on the individuals in question.

    4/5

  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
  • London is naturally an expensive city in which to live. However, the pay does make it affordable. Living and socializing costs in the area are obviously high but the subsidized canteen on the bottom floor makes lunch less of a knock to the wallet. Overall, it is manageable if you are sensible.

    3/5

  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
  • The nightlife in London generally is vastly enjoyable. There aren't a huge variety of nightlife venues in the Victoria area besides pubs and restaurants, but it's very easy to get anywhere else in London and have a great time if you seek it out. Victoria stations has great travel links.

    4/5

  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
  • Definitely - some of the activities I got involved in were: the JP Morgan run, the finance team treasure hunt, being taken to the London Eye, for drinks and on a Thames boat cruise after work, being taken to Brighton for the day and going to a park in Kensington for a community action day.

    5/5

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Details

Internship (1 Month+)

Financial Management

London

August 2018


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