trainee Review

Within the company i am in the investment risk sector in the multi-asset team. my daily work load usually contains using riskmetrics to download data into excel to use in my bau tasks, as well as sending out monthly figures to colleagues. i also use a vdp to use code to gather data and update daily figures.

I have learnt a lot whilst in my traineeship, i have been able to expand my knowledge of the investment world as well as my capabilities in excel and word. i have also been able to understand the jargon used within my company to help my understanding in calls with other team members. on top of this i have been able to take part in different training courses set up by the early careers team to help us with presentations, settling into our job and furthering knowledge in excel.

I find the programme im in exceptional because i am able to come into a working environment and be treated as if im not just a teenager who is new to the job, but as a collegue who is excited to learn and help the company. the work load is enough for me to stay busy but also have time to take part in training exercises and different team calls to listen in and learn about what my peers are doing in there jobs. the team i have been put into have been great, they keep me busy but also help me when i need help or if im stuck as well as keeping me involved with everything they can and always checking in on me to see how im doing. The traineeship has exceeded my expectations as im involved in so much more than what i thought i ever would be and i am able to enjoy the work i do whilst also learning all the time.

The programme im in is very well structured, before being put into our teams we had 2 days of induction with guest speakers and slide shows to take us through the companys history and how the company works as well as giving us time to ask questions and talk through any reservations we had. the training is also exceptional, we have calls each month with different subjects containing multiple calls. support is great, not only do you have the team youre put into but also the connections you make through the other trainees you have and seeing people around the office, everyone is more than happy to help and try to get you to be comfortable asking for the help you need, whether its through online meetings or in person chats there is always someone that can help.

support from the employer is always easy to find, whether its your manager, your designated mentor or even a team member. I have always found it easy to ask my team for help whenever i need it as they will always take the time to talk me through whatever as well as giving me extra tips and tricks to take my learning that extra way.

Support on working towards my qualifications has been very high, the advisor is only an email away and replies are always very quick. we have been provided work booklets and other external sources that we can use in order to get the help we need. the workers around are always open to answering any questions you have as well as taking you through added information.

i feel that the traineeship has helped me to understand the sector im in very well as i am always working with people of higher experience who always talk me through any queries i have as well as talking me through things i may need to know down the course of the traineeship. I have been able to use the training calls the company set up in my work life as i mainly use excel in my day to day work so the excel course we had been taken through helped me to understand conditional formatting and vlookup which i now use regularly in my work.

The company itself set up regular after work events in which all employees are invited too, whether its just a social drink or a presentation which is always a good networking session as people from all over the company attend. as well as the companies set up events the people in my team regularly set up evening to go out and let off steam and have a laugh in order to relive the stress of the week.

Yes

i would recommend abrdn to a friend as it is a well known organization around the world so the experience you can get from your peers is never ending. the company is also very welcoming to anyone who wants to be in the investment sector and will give you all the support you need to be able to grow to your full potential in the business and always hope for you to exceed in all of you work.

i would say that the application process can be daunting but the last thing you need to do is stress, turning up all tense will translate into your interview and it can throw you off. relax and be yourself and then you know that you are showing who you are and what you can bring to the table. Enjoy the onboarding and ask as many questions as you can because its a good time to find out what you want to know before your first day, Try to attend any event you are invited to by the company, it is a great way to get yourself around the company and getting to find out about all the other sectors within the company.