Account Manager Support Intern Review

I did enjoy it quite a lot as was always doing something different. It got more enjoyable as it progressed as you start to learn how to do things more and are given more responsibility. Relaxed and friendly atmosphere was also enjoyable. It gives you a chance to hear about what private banking is, but also the internship offered opportunities to get insight on to other aspects of banking. I was also able to go on lots of customer meetings which was fun.

I felt very valued as I very quickly given jobs that they would have otherwise been doing so I was clearly trusted with responsibility immediately. By chance I was here whilst there were a lot of holidays being taken and so given that I was in a small branch there was an increase in individual work loads. I helped with this which everyone appreciated. They also let me know this.

Anything I struggled with I could freely ask someone to help me and they always took time to, even if they were busy. I also had meetings with the manager who made sure I was doing ok and if I had any questions. All staff also regularly checked up on me to see if I needed anything.

This varied but I always had stuff to do. Providing the staff weren't too busy (which happened a few times) I could ask and I would be given stuff to do, even if it was quite simple but I usually had the opportunity to do a task. If not I was able to work on tasks set for the whole internship, eg the branch project/logbooks/various reports.

I was given pretty much as I could be. They have a double checking system so obviously they could check to see if I did something wrong but I was pretty much given instructions and then do tasks on my own that were often quite technical and could be damaging if they were done wrong.

A lot of my work was sort of administrative and/or using their systems to do things. The skills I developed from this would mainly be organisational and attention to detail I suppose. I have become more proficient in Excel through my project which will be useful as well as more professional when it comes to sending letters/emails and making phone calls.

It was a really good atmosphere, where everyone got along and cooperated regularly. Everyone seemed extremely comfortable with each other which led to an open and enjoyable atmosphere. We would go for food occasionally and have a laugh during lunch hours. Everyone was really friendly and always up for a chit chat.

It was organised pretty well with each week broken down in to different segments such as corporate banking manager week. This was roughly followed by our branch but because of holidays and it being a small branch this was a bit hard. From speaking to other interns it seemed like they stuck to the schedule quite well but I still ended up doing the same things. Because Handelsbanken's motto is the "branch is the bank" it meant that each branch has its own discretion with a lot of what it does and so it couldn't be too organised- as different branches do things differently. We also had scheduled meet up/catch up days with other interns.

I had to complete a whole series of online training videos and information that were followed by a quiz at the start that every staff member has to complete. It looked at regulation, rules etc. I was always pushed to do something that may have made me a bit uncomfortable at first like phoning customers and everyone was always trying to explain things to me. I also had to do presentations and lead a discussion, which were given feedback which is always useful.

I would definitely consider a career within Handelsbanken. I really like the culture, values and ethos of the bank. History and my experience also show that it is a stable bank and in terms of income it would be a great career to have. Staff are highly respected and you are definitely valued. I really feel like the decentralised model and the bank's approach to 'empowering' staff is really valuable and would make me very happy in a job due to responsibility I would have and lack of hierarchy. In addition to this if you are really into banking, then you could have a career forever here as there always opportunities to work your way up even if it may seem it could take a little while. However, I am not certain that this aspect of banking is entirely for me so employment prospects may be limited.

No there was not. Each branch has it's own region and so I was very separated from other interns who were all atleast an hour or two away from my branch. This meant it would be difficult for an established social scene. However, you are able to get to know them during days in head office as well as through the instant messaging app.

I lived at home but I know that the cost of living of where I undertook the internship is very cheap. Even still, one of the manager's first concerns was to check my living arrangements and was willing to find me cheap accommodation either through himself or a customer if I needed it. There is also a very good and cheap gym near by.

No idea, but from what I know from living within an hour away- dreadful.

No.