Application Developer Review

I have found the team I am in (Enterprise Command Center) very welcoming, it is a calm relaxed environment. I have gained a lot of responsibility quickly, getting to grips with many tools, and now that I have done that I am extending to handle more. Very fun.

The team are easy going and friendly, we regularly share square pies on fridays and bacon baps when we fancy. They are all seated near me and whenever I have a problem I just throw a query their way, they actively support me in the same manner they support each other.

Got to join in in a global video call with John Mack (CEO of Morgan Stanley), who chatted with interns in Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York and London. Had the opportunity to ask questions, and listened to his views, had lots of other talks from other MDs, and also local managers. And my personal manager is a stone's throw away, and always available to talk to, although I haven't yet. (Also had the global head, an MD sitting behind me who started by welcoming any questions, they tend to encourage questions, regardless of how 'silly' you think it is).

It varied day to day, personally I found that on some days it was so hectic I couldn't didn't make progress on my to-do list as new tasks with higher priorities were popping up. Other times when things were slow you would make progress with other tasks, always something to do, although sometimes it does involve reading some material that can be really dry.

Although yes I had pass everything by my supervisor (he does after all take responsibility for you) I had a lot of freedom. The changes I was doing involved important systems to the running of my teams, and it wasn't a trust issue as I currently possess all the access rights of any other developer, it was more down to the current environment where a lot of care needs to be taken.

So far I have encountered about 5 new languages, and several new organisation challenges, I am having to get into a strict work flow which I am sure will flow into my studies. I have a project for my last year, and bythe end of this year I reckon that it will be more than reasonable compared to my day to day tasks here. And when it comes to beyond, well I am experiencing the backbone of the technology in Morgan Stanley, talking with people from all over, asking them questions about things I don't know as I have to be able to explain it, I am quickly building up a foundation of business technology knowledge.

When things were hectic you wouldn't notice anything, when things quiten down we have our personal chat room, and we all sit close to each other, so we are constantly chatting, it means you are so comfortable in the office that you just ask questions in general conversation, walk over to your supervisor, and just go, so what is it exactly they want from the program? Which would lead to a lovely and long discussion.

There were a few mishaps with the calendar, but there were a good number of intern events, but I think they also understood that interns tended to do their own things as well, so organisation wasn't overly taxing, you could attend things, we had HR to ask if we needed anything (and I have a couple of times), they set up lots of sessions, with MDs, and developers so that we got a real feel for the environment we were going into / were in.

There is a set load of sessions that we were told to sign up to as they would help us, however we also had access to a 'knowledge link' site, which was essentially Morgan Stanley University, they would put on courses, and you just had to enrol, usually (unless it was free) you would have to pass it by your manager, but as long as you had a reason, be it personal development or related directly to your roll, then they were quite reasonable about it. One of the driving forces in the company is to keep their employees regardless, so if you want to experience something else they don't want you leaving them, so they offer it to you, you can jump about the company every couple of years or so (more often would be unreasonable unless you could put up an argument for not enjoying it, then I reckon they would move you as quickly as possible), I have even been offered that chance by my manager who has mentioned the idea of jumping around (as an intern I have more freedom to). I feel a lot of freedom in Morgan Stanley, you show interest in something and they will try to get you into it, obviously there are always more factors to consider than simply you want to, but they really do try.

They are constantly talking about the grad scheme, and trying to get as much information about it to us interns, they hold interviews at the end to get to know us more. Obviously they can only employ people they have space for, if a team doesn't need someone they won't hire them. But in what is a unstable time, there is a lot of opportunity for us.

We were constantly going out for drinks meals, and just having socials at each others houses, it was lots of fun. As with other colleagues, the work environment is just the start, you sometimes take lunch together, or just go out for a drink. There have also been events put on by other colleagues in the company, like a clay pigeon shooting day, where the split is 50/50 between interns and full time employees.

It is central London.... It wasn't exactly a pound a pint or anything, but with company drinks and the fact you are payed central London pay (extremely good for an intern placement, one of the best I believe), then the pricing is reasonable to the area.

Thursdays and Fridays were suprisingly busy, but due to the busy high pressure nature of Morgan Stanley and the other banks people are always wanting to relax. It is an extremely friendly area, with specific Canary Wharf security, who are always very friendly, and all other employees in the same boat as you, just wanting to have fun and relax after a busy day at work.

Outside of work I have been visiting the Theater, and going to the cinema with other friends, there are plenty of thing to do outside of work, both put on by Morgan Stanley (like their volunteering scheme, and division activities like softball), and by everywhere else, in a city full of Universities there are plenty of things going on and obviously places to join them.