Our next interview is with our vice-president Melinda, who is in her fourth year of studying Mathematics.
Where did you intern?
"I did an internship at Santander in their Credit Risk division."
Why did you choose to do an internship?
"I chose to do an internship because I wasn’t too sure what opportunities were available to me when I graduate. I also wanted to gain valuable experience for my CV to set me apart from the thousands of other STEM students graduating soon."
How did you hear about your internship?
"I was very determined to do an internship and I knew that the banking and financial services sector offered them. I pretty much googled all the major banks and financial institutions and explored the options they offered.
Places like Milkround and Grad Cracker are great places to look. They have a wide range of companies in so many STEM related industries."
How did you find the application process?
"I found the application process very long! Most places will ask you to fill out an application form stating your motivations for applying, then complete a situational judgement/aptitude test, an interview follows, and finally you will be called to an assessment centre. At first it seemed quite disheartening to be required to jump through so many hoops, but it really did make me think about my skills and my future career goals. It was also very rewarding when I did make it to the end.
One tip I have is to only apply to roles that you could really see yourself in. This makes the application process so much more enjoyable and engaging. Employers can see straight through a half-hearted application."
What did you get out of it?
"I was able to get a taste of the transition from being a student to being a graduate. It put my mind at ease knowing that I am going to enter the world of work and be able to contribute something.
Furthermore, was able to gain inside knowledge on the banking industry whilst developing practical skills on the job. I was also able to see what skills I need to work on in my last year of university.
I moved to a different city for my internship so I was able to explore ( and fall in love with) a new city and experience independent living from a new perspective."
Would you recommend an internship to others?
"DEFINITELY! Internships are a great way to get your ‘foot in the door’. It is a fantastic way to build skills, knowledge, and to grow your network of contacts. It has been an extremely valuable experience and I strongly recommend applying to one. As well as broadening your skillset, it makes you a lot more attractive to prospective employers.
Another incentive is that they pay quite well 😉"
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