Commercial Banking Penultimate Year Intern Review

I extremely enjoyed my placement as I found that my team was very supportive and were more than willing to get me involved as much as they could in their day to day roles. There was also a lot of project focus, so it was nice being able to see things through from start to finish.

I felt my colleagues treated me like a part of the team from day one. I found that throughout HSBC there is a very inclusive culture, and you are provided with support from everyone including very senior members. I found that everyone is more than willing to offer their advice and support you in anyway possible.

During my internship I had my line manager and a graduate mentor, I felt that they were both extremely supportive in my learning, and helped me achieve my personal and internship goals. They were very helpful in answering any questions that I had, and were able to offer the best possible advice.

It varied on the day, but particularly towards the middle of the internship where my projects were evolving the most I found myself the most busy. Our team was also a bit short on staff at times as it was holiday season, so I tried to help in anyway possible to help alleviate pressure from my colleagues.

I was given quite a lot of responsibility from the outset, as I was assigned projects by the Deputy Head of the region who would then use my projects to feedback to Global Heads and the Head of CMB, so I always felt that in every project I was completing that I was adding value to my team and to the corporation.

I feel the organisational skills and time management skills gained throughout my placement will be extremely useful. I believe I will be utilising them throughout my final year of university. I also developed excellent analytical and excel skills which will be handy in the completion of my final year projects.

The entire office was very collegiate and friendly. I found that you could start a conversation with anyone in the office regardless of their level of seniority, and the environment was truly a happy one. There is the correct balance between corporate and fun and I truly enjoyed my experience.

The internship was very well organised, as you are provided with a set of objectives at the start and then it is up to you and your line manager to set out your personal objectives and ambitions. You then have weekly one to ones with your line manager to ensure that you are meeting your objectives.

During the internship I felt HSBC invested both time and money into our training, they offer you the best equipment so that you are able to excel and be at your full potential throughout your placement. I also found I always had an excellent support network throughout my placement from both my line manager, my mentor, and the graduate recruitment team.

HSBC definitely invests their time in you and you feel valued as an employee, so I feel the future employment prospects are exceptional, and it is definitely an excellent employer. I look forward to learning more about the company if provided with the opportunity to return on the graduate scheme.

There was a very good social atmosphere, as there were events organised for our cohort at various points throughout our placement, so you did have the opportunity to meet your colleagues. I also had other interns in my office that I was able to organise activities with, so there is a good balance.

I lived at home during the summer, so it was relatively cheap for me, the only downside was that I was still required to pay for my rental accommodation in London, but other than that I found Reading extremely affordable. It was also nice being able to see friends from home.