INTERN DIARY: In the third week, I have been trying hard to find something interesting to do
On Monday, the research analyst I mentioned last week came back from holiday. I'd been dreading this as I'd got nowhere with his task. Fortunately, he didn't seem to care. Keen not to get another monotonous project from him, I decided to ask one of the sales guys for something to do, in the hope it would be at least remotely interesting.
After a bit of digging, I found something which would have a direct impact on one of the salespeople I've been working with. This was a pleasant surprise. In particular, it meant I could put all my new Excel skills to use - I spent a whole day doing online tutorials and teaching myself, which has turned out to be invaluable as almost everything in an investment bank involves Excel and it helps to know advanced functions like vlookups and pivot tables.
Determined not to do badly at this task too, I added a few parameters of my own. The saleswoman was pleasantly surprised and appreciative when I handed the work in.
What I particularly learned this week, therefore, was the importance of taking initiative. The fact is, that when you're doing an internship, no one will actually hand you work: you have to go around ask for it. This requires perseverance. However, if you don't proactively seek things out, you'll simply end up sitting around feeling bored. And this will DEFINITELY be notice by your manager/desk.
Believe me, if you are on a rotational internship, really cannot afford to spend your time sitting around.
Worryingly, I heard from a friend that an intern at another major bank was fired this week!
Apparently he had been coming into work late repeatedly and not asking enough questions. At the end of the day, HR and his manager, confronted him in what was apparently an almost brutal way. The guy from HR was heard to say, and I quote, "you're done mate, give me your security card and get your stuff, you're never coming back"!
