Markets Intern Review

Really loved the first half of the placement because the desk was great. Second half was a long struggle to be honest because I did not enjoy what my desk did.

My first desk made me feel really welcome and they all made a great effort to talk to me. Second desk were quite distant but they seemed to trust me more to get on with my work.

First line manager was good - he didn't get too involved in my day to day work but was always there when I needed him. Second line manager left me in someone else's charge and this guy sets me a fair amount to do and is always willing to help.

First desk I had a lot of people to talk to and got very busy towards the end which was great. Second desk I was very very bored throughout the day and just ended up reading endless reports. The project that was meant to last 5 weeks took less than 3 and from hereon in they had to find unplanned bits and pieces for me to do.

I wrote a fair few reports which people trusted me to get on with and send out without checking. And it seems that my second project was going to be useful for the desk on daily basis and they trusted my judgement and analysis.

Without a doubt an invaluable experience: my excel and general computer skills have improved no end. Plus my knowledge of the financial news and my ability to interpret bits of news coming out has improved. I have found that my inter-personal skills have gotten a lot better in that I can happily make conversation with a complete stranger and, having spent time on a desk with little in common with my colleagues, I have mastered the art of small-talk!! Also my stamina has truly been tested - my last year at Uni will be a breeze in comparison!!

My first desk was incredible - loved the people. It was really lively and everybody was willing to help. Second desk - time stood still. It was so quiet and the lack of communication was disturbing at times.

Really good. Liked the mini-rotations which were set up. However, wish I had known that - when I got my preference for my first desk - this meant I wouldn't get it for my second desk by whom one is most likely to be employed. So I would rather have not submitted any preference for my first rotation, or chosen something which I hadn't really considered for the long term.

Incredible company. Absolutely amazed by the employees' willingness to give you their time. Excel training and the first week's training proved to be very very useful.

I have been in the position where I loved my first desk and didn't really like my second desk so I have seen both sides to RBS - one that I would love to work for and would look forward to coming to work, and another where I have to fight to find stuff to do to pass the time of day. Basically, no matter how nice someone a few rows down are (because chances are they are lovely) it is the desk that you are on and the people you are with that matter. So RBS is great, given a good desk.

Really good. We are a really tight-knit intern class. Everyone has been so willing to help despite the fact that, in theory, we are in competition. We have had some good nights out and the social events organised by HR were well attended.

Really very expensive. A real culture shock!

Very good, though nights out were few and far between with 5am get ups.

Yes, there were events organised by HR to get involved in but, otherwise (especially towards deadlines) it was a case of get up, go to work, get home, eat and sleep.. Weekends were free but mainly needed to catch up on sleep!