We caught up with Julia to find out how she secured her exciting Global Technology Internship Programme at Schroders and how remote working has impacted her internship experience. Julia also shares her favourite aspects of this summer internship, as well as some top tips for those who wish to follow in her footsteps.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to where you are now
I’m currently studying an integrated master’s degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Bath. As I did a placement year with a construction company, I decided to find an internship that was completely different but would still allow me to apply the technical skills I’ve gained from my degree.
What stood out about Schroders?
As I had no previous knowledge of the financial services sector, I did lots of research and Schroders came up. From researching Schroders, I liked the Global Technology Internship as it sounded like an innovative programme from a leading edge, sleek, modern company. Schroders really pride themselves on being sleek and refined and this is what I was looking for, coming from a work placement in construction.
How have you found conducting this internship whilst working remotely?
It’s actually been amazing. They sent me a headset and set me up on Zoom and Skype so that I could work from home. The HR department set up some virtual coffee connects and lunch learning sessions, so it’s been a very personal experience where you can meet different people from across the business. The buddy scheme was also really good. From day 1, my buddy was really engaged, checked up on me every week and set up meetings with different people for me. Everyone is super open to chatting – there’s a very flat structure and everyone is really genuine. It’s been great for meeting a range of different people.
What’s your favourite aspect of the role?
At the start of my internship, I was given a project which involved collecting data, building a spreadsheet and then analysing the data. I enjoy the fact that I’ve been given an ongoing project that is actual work and I know that when I leave, they’ll still use this spreadsheet that I’ve created. Over the past six weeks I've really seen this project develop and how much I've learnt; it was really nice to feel like the expert on one aspect of the project and have my work seen as valuable.
What are your top tips for the application process?
Before your interview, research the different divisions in the sector you’re applying for. For instance, I worked in Global Technology, and there were several different divisions within this department. Get a sense of your preference, so if you do get the role, Schroders are more likely to put you in that division during the internship. Don’t be afraid of appearing too forward – it will help you get exactly what you want from the programme.
Looking to follow in Julia's footsteps? Discover live opportunities with Schroders.