HSBC general Review

The programme was an online work experience which took place over a week where the days were completely filled with meetings and interactive sessions as well as interactive workshops. One such activity included a presentation that we had to prepare and then present to a group of other people in the programme.

There were not many skills that I learnt from this programme, but my public speaking and presentation skills were developed through the presentation I had to present to a group. In order to prepare for the power point presnetation I also had to research, meaning those skills were also developed.

I did not really enjoy the experience, I found it rather boring and I did not like how it was cancelled and made into an online event. Of course the pandemic was the root cause of this, however, it was a lot of effort to be interviewed for a place at the programme, all for it to be online. I did not feel as though it were a work experience, and i found myself simply wanting to go back to bed.

One thing to credit this programme is certainly its organisation. It was very well planned out and the timetable was available for all to see. The only blip within the organisation was when we had some Q&As with company professionals of the banking field, it had timed meetings and the zoom cut out. I think the organisation had under estimated how many questions people had

I learnt a lot about the company ethos, and during the Q&A the employees talked into great detail what their day to day lives were like. Especially what life was like in the office space, and how they would manage their time in the office, as well as how to interact with others

It made me realise that I could always have a career in banking no matter what path I took with my degree at university. Previously I thought that I would have to do a degree like Economics or Finance, perhaps management, yet what I learnt was that I could even go into the banking sphere with a degree in Classics or Philosophy

No. However, i also was not expecting to be paid anything as it was an online event and no actual work was done. If anything I know that some people may wish to pay to be in the audience of an event such as this, as skills were being taught.

I know that some people added the employees on LinkedIn, meaning that networking was available. However, I strongly believe that networking and meeting employees would have been far better with the original plan of having the work experience in person, as I would be able to meet all sorts of people and have actual direct interaction for longer than 10 seconds.

Yes

I would as whilst it personally was not for me, I can see where it can be credited, it was clearly a well organised event, and with such a high status bank it is an incredible opportunity. Moreover, the realisation that there is no specific degree that I would have to do gave me much clarity.

Make sure you take time thinking about what you would want to say in the interview, as it was quite nerve wracking. Perhaps practice answering questions, especially situational ones, with a partner, so that you would not be as nervous during the interview. If anything, answer truthfully, and during the tests take time to consider all options.