CAMPUS CHRONICLER: Don't kill yourself trying to complete the internship training modules before the internship begins

As exams draw to a close, it can only mean one thing. The start of the summer holidays? No, the start of the summer internship frenzy.

Almost every bank now gives its future interns access to online training resources and modules to complete, with strict instructions that these are mandatory and their module test results will be taken into account. However I know from past interns that this is not true. Many of the interns who received offers never even completed any of the online training or did the tests as asked. So is completing the modules really worthwhile?

Well it certainly won't be unhelpful, but it is debatable whether it will have a significant impact either way. If you already have an internship, the chances are you'll already know a fair amount about the industry and the desk/s you are going to be working on.

The modules I came across last year were interesting to an extent. But they weren't necessarily helpful when it came to getting an offer or performing during the internship. For example, the Excel training modules could be useful to someone with no experience of using the software (unlikely as it is that such a person exists). But you probably won't be required to use high level Excel during your internship. Equally, the chances that you'll be asked to do VBA programming are very remote.

If you have the time to complete the online training it's still probably a good idea to go through it. But during the one or two weeks that exist between exams finishing and internships starting, many interns will struggle to go through the vast amount of content banks put into these training modules.

Remember, it's also important to have a rest before your internship starts. For many people, a 10 week internship at an investment bank is the most intense experience of their lives. It's important to gather your strength - not to burn yourself out before its even begun with training modules that won't really get you anywhere.