Summer intern Review

I had a great time at the Bank of England. I was in the capital markets division of FSSR, and I was lucky enough to have an engaging and social team. We did a lot of team activities and everyone was more than happy to help me if I asked, or give me tasks to do. I was given very interesting tasks.

I was not given a meaningless task, and felt like I was given the opportunity to have a real impact on my team. They clearly valued my impact, and I could really contribute in meetings and put forward my own ideas. I was treated as a full employee, and not as an intern.

The support and guidance was always there if I needed it, and my manager checked up on me regularly. He did not smother me though, and I was generally given free reign to get on with my tasks as I saw fit. If I ever requested feedback they were always happy to provide it.

I never had a dull moment, as I have experienced on other internships. I always had tasks I could be doing, or people I could meet with to discuss their role in the company. Whilst I was busy, it never became overwhelming, and I felt that it was the perfect work load to keep me engaged.

I was given responsibility from practically day one, to help author documents sent around the whole division and to get on my with coding task to be used in future years. I regularly got the chance to engage with senior managers and tell them my thoughts, and on a few occasions I was referred to as the best person to speak about a certain subject at the Bank.

My work was very relevant to my degree (maths and economics), as I was given a coding heavy task using R. I had had minor experience in this from small university courseworks, but this gave me a much greater exposure to it. I now feel very confident using R, and I can use this in my degree in the future.

I had a very good time in my team, as my team were very sociable. We went on trips to see a cricket game, had lunches out together and often grabbed coffee in quiet moments. I feel that I made some great friends in the team, and looked forward to going into work as a result.

I was always aware of what I should be doing, and I had support there if I ever needed it. HR were often in contact to keep us updated on what meetings we should be having with our managers, and asking if anyone ever needed any extra support. It was very smooth.

I was put into contact with multiple different people who had experience in the area I was working in, and they gave me ample time to ask them questions. They were happy to help me with any problems, and often either suggested new ways of doing things to me. As a result, I feel that I received a lot of time invested in me.

I had a lot of opportunity to speak to graduates and their experience of employment prospects in the future. I was often told that it was a great place to start work, with strong amp,oytement prospects if you landed an internship like I had. Many people told me that they intended to start a career there and then see what opportunities were available after a few years.

There was a Bank organised event for the placement students to go to a bar together, where the Bank paid for all of our drinks all night. It was very sociable, and as a result it was a good ice breaker. I made some great friends on my floor, who I still keep in contact with today. We often went on nights out together after work.

Being in central London, it was quite expensive to live/socialise in the area, but not completed ridiculous. My team often bought drinks for me if we socialised as bars after work, and the pay was more than adequate to cover my expenditure on socialising. I did have to commute from home, however, as rent was too expensive.

Nightlife was very good, and I spent a lot of time on Fridays socialising in the pubs and bars around the Bank. This was both placement students, and with team members. It was lively, but not pressuring, and everyone was very laid back. There is plenty to do in central London!

As I have mentioned in other answers, my team was very social and we often went and did actives after work. This included a team trip to see a T20 cricket game, and everyone got involved. I had a great time, and there is a lot you can do outside of work hours at the Bank. I know that one intern joined the Bank choir, and even ended up leading a few sessions!