Risk Analyst Review

Overall I found my placement year at LBG very enjoyable as I was given responsibility and freedom to find work and opportunities which were an interest to me. There was countless opportunities such as shadowing and training days which I involved myself in and every colleague I interacted with was happy to help and even interested in what I had been up to in my year so far.

I felt very valued throughout my placement. I was definitely treated as a colleague rather than just a placement student and I was given work which added value to the team rather than simply admin type work. My colleagues were always happy spend some additional time with me when I didn't have a full understanding too.

My line manager was great, she offered me support, guidance and advice throughout the year while giving me freedom to pursue opportunities that I found interesting. She was always there when I needed some additional support too and very understanding. My line manager played a big part in making my year so great for me and this is true for many other placement students that I have interacted with at LBG.

Throughout my placement my typical day varied. On average I think I could have taken on more work however, there was defiantly times where I was working at full capacity also, that fact that there were times when I was not busy, meant that I had time to learn some other skill and focus on my personal development.

From the start of my placement I was given an amount of responsibility and trust to get on worth my work and feedback at regular points. As the year went on this responsibility defiantly grew and I was given larger and 'more important' tasks to do and my opinion was also valued. I was also given the freedom to do my work in the way which I found most efficient and approach tasks as I thought best.

Over the year I have learn new skills and developed many existing skills. All of these skills will help me in the future and some way help assist me in my degree studies. I have developed my coping mechanisms greatly and learnt more efficient ways of working, I have also developed my analytical skills and a reporting style of writing.

The atmosphere in the offices that I worked from was really good, it was relaxed while professional. Colleagues were happy to chat and develop a friendly relationship as well as a professional one. The office was sometimes quite empty due to colleagues working from home, this was mainly Mondays and Fridays.

The placement was well organised overall. Pay was spot on every time though some expenses took a while to claim back. The first week of placement was an 'introductory week', consisting of mornings spent with all the new placement students and some existing students and the afternoons spent with my team mainly doing online training. We had two performance reviews, one in December and the other in late March; these were structured well and helpful with goal setting.

LBG have a network which you can find training courses and they encourage you to attend them. There are also shadowing opportunities which are available and my line manager encouraged me to take time out of my work to go on these days too.

Future employment prospects with Lloyds Banking Group are good, they have a range of graduate schemes which as a placement student and the approval of your line manager you can be fast tracked to an interview. Lloyds Banking Group have a flexible working approach, good pay and good befits too.

I found that in my office there was a lacking social scene amongst other placement students although all students were nice and I had a friendly relationship with those that worked on my floor however, we did all get involved in a 'charity challenge' and this was a good way to get to know each other.

During my placement I lived in the same student house that I was in during my second year of university with a group of friends so rent was reasonable. There is also plenty of bars, pubs, restaurants and other entertainment close to work with some being cheap and other being more expensive so there was something for everyone.

The nightlife in the area I work was quiet however, there was plenty of pubs and restaurants so enough for a work social event. We were also near a major city which had great nightlife and was easy enough to get to so social events could very easily be arrange where there is buzzing nightlife.

Lloyds Banking Group encouraged colleagues to get involved with charity work and were very supporting in helping you do so and although I did not personally involve myself in any other activities I know that there was at least a football social league that some placement students got involved with.