Penultimate Year Intern Review

The work I was given was well suited, interesting and proved a good challenge (not too hard or too easy). My line manager always double checked that I was enjoying the work, and regularly check that I was progressing well and didn't need any extra help or information.

My team were very welcoming and made me feel very much a part of the team, despite being an intern. For my main project, many colleagues from around the Bank were wiling to take meetings with me for my research, even senior managers and heads of division were more than happy to make time for me.

My manager organised weekly meetings to formally discuss any progresses, questions or concerns I may have, but there was also very much an "open door policy". If I ever had any questions outside of pre-set meetings, my line manager always made time to answer my questions or offer any help I might need.

I was given a few projects on the go, which they allowed me to coordinate myself. This meant that I'd always have a project to flick to if I was waiting on feedback or information before I could continue with another. Line managers were also very supportive, and were willing to give more or less work as you felt appropriate.

During my time at the Bank, I have been involved in many large meetings, having coordinated and lead some myself. I have also been allowed to contact anyone I needed to, internally and externally, as any normal member of staff would. My manager made it very clear that as an intern, I was still a valued staff member and was given all the freedom that came with that.

As an economics student working in an operational policy team, there was a very close correlation between my degree and my work, so it was great to see my studies in reality. Don't let your degree choice put you off though, members of the team have everything from textiles to geography to maths as their degrees!

Everyone was very chatty, leading to a light and happy office atmosphere. It also meant everyone was very approachable when you had any work related queries.

Some things were a little difficult to find out, and the information provided could have sometimes been a little more comprehensive. Generally however, the most important information was provided and everyone was given a point of contact for concerns.

There are a lot of courses available for all Bank employees. The only problem with some of the courses is they book up very quickly, and some are so far in advance you won't have time to book on during the internship. However, any information or skills you needed, there was always the option to pick a colleagues brain. So whilst there wasn't much formally, informally there is a large amount of skill sharing at the Bank.

They are very clear from the beginning of the process how you will be finally graded, and how this grade correlates with future employment. You are given an interim review half way through the internship to check you are on track, and to make any comments necessary to make sure you improve any necessary areas.

There was one formally organised event, but with a group of about 60 interns across the different schemes, there was always a social event. The "social scene" was definitely what you make of it, but there was always an invite to everything from economics talks, to park socials, to clubbing. I didn't go a week without going out, be that to a club or the park, with the other interns.

London is always expensive. The subsidised canteen really helped with costs - I'd buy so much for lunch I was rarely hungry come dinner! It is very much about finding the right places, going out is okay as long as you plan for happy hours and spoons rather than rooftop cocktail bars. I live in London for uni, and central rent is very expensive, but you can often find a good price if you're willing to go slightly further out. The wage the Bank paid was still more than enough to cover my central London rent however.

It's the standard London nightlife, as you'd expect. There are a lot of places to choose from depending on what sort of place you enjoy.

There is a big push for Bank wide events following Vision 2020, so there were often extra-curricular talks and events organised. There were a few events to give your chance to speak to others about the intern scheme, but these were usually oversubscribed, so not everyone got the chance to attend.