Summer Associate Review

I was given my own projects some of which I had a good level of autonomy over which I enjoyed. There were time when the work was quite repetitive and dull but in general was kept busy with interesting work. It's a very relaxed internship with very good hours if that's what your looking for.

By the end of the internship I was good friends with my team and I thoroughly enjoyed working with them. Lovely supportive environment to work in. People were always happy to help where they could and giving feedback and advice on my work. I could see how my work may help in future cases.

Each of my projects were supervised by different members of the team. Some were more knowledgeable on the topics they'd chosen to supervise than others so support and guidance varied. But in general people were happy to help where they could and also happy to have general chats about working at the FCA.

I almost always had something to get on with although sometimes the tasks I was given did not take me as long as they expected so could be left bored. Working hours really are 9-5 so generally quite relaxed. As long as you organise your time and get what you;ve been set done then your team will be happy.

I was given review tasks to do rather than cases themselves. The reviews were fairly autonomous pieces of work and gave me an insight into the rules and regulations my team deals with in case work. However it would have been nice to have elements of case work amongst my reviews.

My job was largely research based. Working out a methodology, undertaking research and collating your findings in a structured manner will always be helpful skills however I was not challenged as much as university. A more rigorous internship would develop organisational skills more, deadlines are easy to meet and never felt rushed or short of time. Understanding the rules and regulations applying to all listed firms are fairly transferable into other industries.

Lovely environment to work, very friendly and everyone's up for a chat even those in higher positions. Collaborative workplace meaning it is easy to gain understanding of the organisation as a whole. Working hours fairly flexible, allowing you to work how's best for you. Supportive and approachable staff means you can get out of the internship what you need/want.

My team was well organised with set tasks for my time with them although lots of people being on holiday at different times sometimes caused a bit of disorganisation. HR were less well organised, contracts came very last minute along with team allocation. A few lunch and learn sessions were organised which we were only told about on the day. Some forward thinking by HR would help.

A few lunch and learn sessions were organised to give us a better understanding of how the different divisions within the FCA operate as well as a personal development lunch and learn. Other than mandatory training at the beginning and any in team training there was limited formal training provided. Given our inexperience as interns more formal training could have proved useful.

I have enjoyed my internship and feel the work is interesting enough to engage me for a few years. The work environment and flexible working are brilliant especially considering the good remuneration. A negative for me is the career progression prospects. Many people join the FCA when their young at associate level or one more experienced and can come in at manager level. The structure is fairly flat and so hard to see how to progress.

Yes, within both my team and the interns made some good friends and had social life with both. The flexible hours were great for an internship meaning plenty of time for a social life. At least every Friday all the interns would go out together meaning you got to know everyone. Although, events were not organised by the FCA itself, no free stuff in the public sector.

I live in London anyway so luckily did not have to pay for accommodation. Being in Startford is a bit out the way but prices do tend to be slightly cheaper than in central London. Travel costs for me were slightly more as it was too far to walk to work.

There are a few bars near the office but for better nightlife you need to go into the city. Also if meeting people after work no one else works near Startford which can be a bit frustrating.

A lot of social sport clubs and some events organised by the FCA which you can go to as a team. Newsletters are sent round every so often about what's on so easy to find out about opportunities. Some more organised socials would have been nice though.