Spring Week Intern Review

The week was packed full of talks, presentations, job shadowing, networking events and the chance to take part in a group presentation. There was always something for us to do.

Everyone I met was very friendly and always willing to answer my questions. During the 3 job shadowing rotations, the person/people I was assigned to always got to know me before starting the work/project. Other people on the insight week felt the same way.

The programme coordinator was always around to answer any questions and to clarify any information we may have missed. We were also given a mentor for the presentation project which was useful.

I developed skills I already had, such as communication and listening skills, which are useful for both degree studies and beyond. Presentation skills and the ability to work as a team were also developed as part of the presentation project (similar to the apprentice with a Q&A afterwards). Networking was very invaluable and is a lifelong skill needed. We were given heaps of information about RBS and the different divisions, their path since 2008 and what each job entails. Very useful for my economics degree and working in the financial sector.

Although we weren't given much information prior to the week, everything was given in a timetable on the first day. We always knew what we were going to be doing next. The only problem was that the job shadowing was less structured as some people we were assigned to didn't know they would have us until that week/day.

Everyone was very friendly and keen to learn more. Obviously the days were very long and tiring so towards the end of the week the atmosphere was a little flat but overall, a very enjoyable week!

They provided us with a lot of talks, which required employees to leave their duties. However it's only a spring week so most of the training will be given during a summer internship or the graduate scheme. They emphasised heavily that they were keen to get the spring week interns onto the summer programme and eventually the graduate scheme. So although no actual training was given, information about our expected progression through RBS, and the time invested in us was a large amount.

Although we were given talks, the lengths of the days and the different buildings we were in everyday were a great representation. The job shadowing also gave a small insight into what we would be doing on a day-to-day basis. I also gained an idea of how the teams work very well together.

They want all their employees to do well and have very strong teams working together. I was also told a number of times during networking events that people, especially women and mums, liked the fact that RBS were very flexible with working hours and working from home.

Its been incredibly valuable. I still don't know if it's something I want to do for the rest of my life, but I am definitely considering it. I have also gained a lot of transferable skills and information that I'll be able to use elsewhere, if I am unsuccessful in securing the summer placement. It has confirmed that I want to work in a large company.

They paid for your travel expenses to and from London (not around) and if you live outside the M25 they pay for you to stay in the hotel. You are allowed £5 for breakfast and £15 for lunch if you are staying in the hotel.

We had two networking drinks on the first and last day of the spring week. We also had networking lunch on Monday, and on Tuesday at our t first job shadowing. Employees came to speak to us everyday apart from Tuesday and Thursday on our job shadowing, where we met employees specifically in those divisions. Our mentor for the presentation project was a graduate, who gave us a more relatable insight to RBS. I would say you definitely meet people from all 5 areas of Group Functions.

The networking drinks and lunches were good for having an informal chat with employees, and asking questions without feeling as though you are being assessed (there is an interview at the end of the week and you are assessed during the presentation projects and the job shadowing rotations). There was not an official social event, which was disappointing as many of us were in the hotel together.

Not so much but all graduates said they meet up after work on Fridays and sometimes teams have lunch together.

Such a good opportunity. Great for my CV and could potentially lead to a graduate job.