Hear from Jenny our Treasury Summer Intern

What was your motivation in applying for the Treasury Summer Internship?
I wanted to gain experience within an organisation at the forefront of its sector, and I felt Nationwide Building Society would be the perfect environment in which to develop my knowledge. I have a clear vision of pursuing a career within this field and for me this was the ideal opportunity to have a taste of how I might progress as a graduate.

What did the application process involve?
I submitted an online application with both a CV and a covering letter after which I was invited to complete online numerical and competency tests. Shortly after this I was invited to an interview with Treasury Senior Managers at the Administration Centre in Northampton, where the internship would be based. Although I was very nervous everyone was very kind and I felt immediately at ease.

What did your placement involve?
I worked on a project called IEP – Information Efficiency Project which aimed to deliver efficiency improvements across the Treasury division. My role within the project was to develop a Treasury Information Manager which tracked how information flows through all areas of Treasury. In order to do this I had to interview team leaders from each desk and obtain information on key reports. I then analysed that information with other project members to identify information sources, information properties and report generation processes. The final stage of my role was to contribute to and provide supporting information to enable solution discussions for this stage of the project.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes! I found the project and the role within it challenging but very interesting. Meeting senior managers and discussing their business requirements in order to deliver them a solution was incredibly rewarding.

What did you learn?
I learnt new techniques such as business analysis, interviewing, facilitation, analysis and problem solving as well as improving my ability to converse with all levels and different roles within the Treasury division. I also learnt more about the financial sector and the impacts of the current financial situation on business processes which especially interested me.

Best part?
Witnessing and being part of the process of efficiency improvement from beginning to end – starting with an interview with a senior user and identifying their problems and ending with the development of a real solution.

Worst part?
Living away from home on my own was difficult at times, but it has definitely helped me to develop my independence.

What advice to readers do you have?
Apply!