Summer Insight Week 2014 Review

I very much enjoyed the insight week. It was great to learn more about all the different sectors of BAML. Networking with the BAML team and other students from both the UK and abroad was enjoyable, as was participating in a range of interactive activities to develop different skills.

I felt extremely valued during the insight week. Everyone at BAML was happy to talk to us, from those who had just joined the company to those with more senior positions. I was even able to attend an extra work shadowing session that had not been originally scheduled.

The HR department did an excellent job of organising the whole week. They would provide us with information on the division for which they recruit for, as well as tips and skills for the next steps in securing a place on the summer internship, which will be extremely valuable.

In addition to a great lecture on presentation skills by Deborah Frances-White, there were many chances to give presentations and speak publicly, so we were able to develop these skills. Other interactive sessions allowed us to practice negotiations and innovative thinking also. Talking to people at BAML and other students in order to build up a professional network will also be very useful.

The insight week was fairly well structured. Each day ran seamlessly with a wide range of activities, however, I would have preferred more exposure to my preferred division, Technology.

There was a great atmosphere during the week. Most participants were excited to be there and it was fun socialising with them after scheduled activities for the day were over.

The insight week included developing presentation, negotiation and innovative thinking skills. While performance in activities that developed these skills were mostly assessed as a group, individual feedback was available on request.

We had a tour of the Merrill Lynch Financial Centre and also got to see other buildings and offices. Seeing people at work and also directly shadowing them in addition to talking to them about their experiences working at BAML allowed me a good sense of what it would be like to work there.

The company culture was evident from talking to people working at BAML and from listening to those giving presentations about their division.

Since we were exposed to many divisions of the bank, this has helped me to confirm my interest in my preferred division, and I have a clearer sense of the path required to secure a role in the division.

I will be reimbursed for a travelcard.

Everyday, there were opportunities for networking, following presentations and during some activities, and also at lunch. The welcome drinks on the first day and the dinner were also great chances to meet employees. I was even able to request to speak to people working in a division that was not covered during the week.

The welcome drinks was fun and the dinner was excellent. We got the opportunity to meet employees from a wide range of divisions of BAML, and of varying seniority also.

We had a networking event given by the reps of different employee networks of BAML who talked about activities outside of work, and of the volunteering opportunities also.

I would absolutely recommend this insight week to a friend; it has been a valuable experience. I have been able to develop my skills, build my professional network and get a clearer sense of my future career path.