Hear from Laurence about how a Barclays internship equipped him for a graduate role in Finance

When I was a Barclays finance intern, I didn’t know much about the banking sector. But I knew that I wanted to apply the technical problem-solving skills from my physics degree in my career. The internship gave me this opportunity and also helped develop my soft skills, and I unexpectedly made a bunch of friends. It was the supportive working and learning environment, along with the technical aspects of the role itself, that made me excited to return as a graduate.

A rewarding part of my current role in Product Control is being able to work autonomously; I’m the go-to finance contact for the particular equities trading desk I work with. What’s more, I’m trusted with many critical day-to-day tasks where I’m required to make informed judgement calls. It means I’m able to use my initiative, and it gives me a positive sense of purpose.

I value the mobility my scheme offers me the most.

I really enjoy being responsible for providing commentary and insight into the bank’s performance, which goes on to affect decision-making and strategy at the highest level. In the process, I get to learn about the entire business and all our different revenue streams, which provides a great overview of the bank as a whole.

You can’t beat that feeling when your team comes together to support each other on tight deadlines or important pieces of work for senior meetings. There’s a sense of doing whatever it takes to see things through – to get the job done. Personally, I value the mobility my scheme offers me the most. Working in finance gives you exposure to the financial nuts and bolts of the bank in many different parts. This sheer variety is so exciting and fuels my curiosity.