Geoscience Interm Review

The work was great - I was given a project that clearly had a purpose for the company, but was allowed to take it in a direction that also interested me personally. My team was really supportive in this, and at including me in socials outside of work too.

Everyone was really busy, but still took time to help me when I approached them. The team took my work seriously, and seemed genuinely interested in what I was producing.

My line manager was away a few times during my internship, and didn't leave me the direct responsibility of anyone else during those times, so it was hard to get direction on my project if I needed it whilst on my own for a week or two. When she was around however, she was willing to sit down with me as often as I felt I needed, but also to let me work without checking up on me every day if I was doing alright.

We set objectives towards the end of the first week, and then I was free to work through those at my own pace. I had to prioritise my time, so I had data available when I needed it, but I was able to work steadily throughout the internship. We also reviewed the internship objectives based on my progress.

I was solely responsible for my project - no-one else in BP was working on the region I was. However, although the work was important to BP for the larger picture, there was nothing critical about my work.

I learned a lot about managing a project from start to finishl, which will be incredibly useful. It will also be useful directly towards my MSc thesis. I also got a great chance to apply my technical skills to a real problem.

People travelled a lot so the office environment was constantly changing as people came and went. It was generally relaxed and friendly though.

For me, it worked great from start to finish. I think some of the logistics of accommodation that BP provided were a bit of a problem, but since I rented privately it didn't affect me at all.

We had some training (eg presentation skills) which was clearly an investment. And the company makes a big financial investment in its interns. But in terms of enhancing our skills, I don't feel they particularly invested in me.

I would love to come back and work for the company...in a few years, once I have a PhD

It depended on where you lived. Some groups were very sociable, and everyone was really friendly with each other, but I didn't find the socialising great for those of us who wanted to do things other than clubbing. However, this would be very dependent on the interns in your particular year!

It was very expensive if you took the BP arranged accomodation, but to rent privately near work was pretty reasonable. And again, food/social was cheap enough if you were outside of central london.

it was shocking where I lived, but a) I wasn't interested and b) there are trains in to central London, with a free shuttle bus to the station from work!

I was lucky in that my team invited me to get involved with lots of activities, so I got to do those as well as the intern specific ones. But even if your team didn't involve you much, there were BBQs, intern meals out, university specific discussion groups, central intern projects etc...