Account Manager Support - Intern Review

by Handelsbanken

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

Rating

3.9/5
  • The Role
    4.2
  • The Company
    3.9
  • The Culture
    3.6

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
  • This was my second summer internship within the bank. Hence, I was able to take on more advanced work and consequently help the branch more. I had some tasks that were continuous throughout my internship but others that were shorter. To broaden my horizons, I made sure to get involved in as much as possible by for example shadowing client meetings and attending a corporate event.

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
  • I knew the majority of the team already from having had an internship at the same branch last year. All my colleagues were very welcoming and as an intern, I had a similar level of exposure as the other employees. I was also engaged in some corporate events and branch drinks. I brought with me knowledge from my previous experiences within the bank, it was rewarding to see that my increased capabilities meant that I was able to contribute even more to the branch.

    5/5

  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
  • I received training on the various banking systems as well as that required to complete the specific tasks. Additionally, I competed some e-learning to broaden my horizons within specific areas of the bank, such as AML and guarantees. It was also the first time that I worked at a company in a team for this length of time, so found it interesting to see how the employees worked together to perform. The summer internship allowed me to grow in confidence in a professional environment and has given me to insight to be interested in pursuing a career in the bank.

    4/5

  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
  • I had some projects that were on-going and 'never-ending'. Other tasks needed completing daily and others were one-off. As such, I balanced my time between completing the tasks that needed doing more immediately and the less time critical work. Overall, I was very busy during my internship, both with competing my assignments and training. I made sure to always have work to do and asked for more when needed.

    5/5

  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
  • The decentralised approach and culture within Handelsbanken means that all employees take responsibility for their own work. As such, I was given the responsibility that my projects were completed and to a good standard. As I had had a previous internship with the bank, I was able to take on greater responsibility through competing more advanced tasks, further enriching my knowledge and helping the branch.

    4/5

  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • New starters receive training on the various bank systems and then within the branch, the training required to complete the work set. I completed some additional e-learning to broaden my horizons within specific fields. The summer internship has allowed me to gain wider knowledge of the banking industry and specifically Handelsbanken. I study Economics at university and although banking modules are not common within my course, my two internships have given me the insight to whether the career is suited for me.

    4/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
  • The atmosphere in the office is very warm. There is a good balance between professionalism and fun. It is possible to have a laugh now and then in between working hard. My colleagues were very helpful and I was always given help when needed, even if there was a lag due to them being busy at the time.

    4/5

  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
  • Overall, the internship program is well structured with an induction day at the beginning of the placement. There is commonly only one intern per branch so the majority of the remainder of the training is done in branch, either by other colleagues or (compulsory) online courses. Throughout the placement, there are opportunities to visit head office and swap branches with other interns for a few days.

    4/5

  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • I had some knowledge with me from having completed previous employment at Handelsabanken. Hence, I did not require all the basic training of systems etc. As a new starter, you are given training of the major systems at the induction and then specific training occurs within the branch. I also completed some additional online training to widen my horizons within specific fields. Internships are quite limited in time but there are lots of opportunities for development for permanent employees, with the possibilities of moving to roles behind the arrow at head office etc.

    4/5

  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
  • 3/5

  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
  • Personally, I can really see myself to develop within Handelsbanken. A career would lead to many opportunities to work in branches with the customer as the focus and then move further back 'the arrow' to head office departments. The bank really encourages moving between roles and locations. This appeals to me as it would enable me to get a broader experience of the banks culture and working environments.

    5/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
  • Typically there is one intern per branch but there are opportunities to meet other interns at the induction day and then at head office visit days. Both last year and this year, us interns took the initiative to meet after work on a couple of occasions. I also socialised with my other colleagues in the branch both during the working day and outside of work, for example, during Friday evening drinks.

    4/5

  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
  • Birmingham is my university town so I was living in my university accommodation during the course of my placement. Otherwise, there is accommodation available to rent both in the city centre and slightly further out from town. As with any large city, the cost of social activities and accommodation varies significantly.

    3/5

  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
  • I was based on a Birmingham city centre branch. As with any large city, there is a magnitude of activities and nightlife for socialising, including restaurants, bars and activities. The opportunities for nightlife in the city centre are vast. For example, I went out for drinks after work with other colleagues.

    5/5

  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
  • I met on a couple of occasions with the other interns after work. Additionally, I participated in events with the colleagues in my branch, including after work socials and some lunches. At the beginning of my internship, I also attended a corporate quiz night with some other members of the team.

    4/5

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Details

Internship (1 Month+)

Commercial Banking, Retail Banking, Banking

West Midlands

August 2019


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