HSBC Virtual Work Experience Review

I participated in HSBC's Virtual Work Experience Programme for 1 week where I gained an insight into Commercial, Wealth & Personal, and Investment Banking thus allowing me to develop an understanding of the various routes to success in the financial sector. It was very collaborative and I liked how we were able to speak to various people from all types of the business; whether that be Investment Banking, wealth & personal or even procurement!!

Before completing the programme, I had little to no knowledge about the financial sector but through it I learned so much. Some of the things I learned included the role of the procurement team, the fact that banking is split into various sub sections like investment and wealth & personal banking and the individual roles of each team.

Although it was virtual, I still learnt a lot whilst thoroughly enjoying myself; a credit to [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] outgoing personality. I loved the use of breakout rooms which allowed everyone to collaborate on a project which helped everyone to leave their shells and express themselves verbally rather than just through the chat.

My work experience was extremely well organized with talks & breaks being at times which had been shown to us on our timetable months before we began this amazing experience. Sometimes the talks ran over time but I do not believe that to be a bad thing as it showed the genuine intrusive of the students who were asking a range of innovative questions showing their passion and interest.

Each talk by each HSBC staff member offered a unique perspective of the company and how they display the values in their own work however the underlying feeling that it was like a big family working in unison shone through which has tempted me to work there in the future

I was in year 13 when I began the programme and was unsure of what path to take as I knew my options were many. The programme showed me that whatever I choose, I need not worry as any of these routes can lead to success; whether university or an apprenticeship; or an amalgamation of the two!

I was no paid financially for this experience but the lessons I was taught mean so much more to me!! It has made me understand the need to proliferate my professional network via LinkedIn as a starting point which has been game changing for my ability to sell myself and be attractive to potential employers.

As answered in the previous question, there we were encouraged to set up LinkedIn profiles where, although not explicitly instructed to, a lot of us began adding each other as in theory, we are the next generation of bankers, lawyers and procurement professionals so it is useful to have each other to contact in the future.

Yes

It is clear that the staff value employees a lot and care not just for what they can contribute to profit margins, but also their own mental healths. This has been proved by their devotion to well-being as reflected by their being a designated team there who genuinely care about the staff.

It may seem out of reach as you may think you cannot compete with private school students who have parents that can fund their 1 on 1 sessions with tutors, but you should not be anxious about that. The application process allows you to show who you are and your own values, rather than how many maths equations you know.