It’s an exciting time as many of you people on placement reach the half way stage. Ben, one of our Guest Bloggers updates us with his experiences so far…

“Working at State Street has been demanding form the beginning. I am now 6 months through the year long placement and it has zoomed by. This is both a positive and a negative: good from the perspective that I feel this is a point where I can reassess. Working a 45 hour week can become routine too easily and it is important to remember what you want to get out of your work placement. My sound advice to placement students is to attempt to set some goals as you enter a new phase, for me, this has been the entry to the New Year and reaching the culmination of my first project. On the other hand, it is a shame that I am half way through. I feel I have much more to achieve before the end of this year and so I’m ready to set a few goals.

I have spent much of my time at the bank focussing on a project which as I mentioned is coming towards its final phase now. I have been encouraged by the possibility of my research being published which is a fantastic inspiration. This is my first goals which I intend to achieve in the next month. The point to keep in mind is why you are doing what you are, and what you want by the end. Remember it is just as much about the company, so when I say get what you want, I encourage maintenance of putting the company before yourself.

Before Christmas, it was time to help with the interviews for the next round of interns. There are 3 interns from the University of Surrey working in the banks Research department, and we were asked to help assess and select viable candidates who we would help interview with senior members of the team. This was fascinating. Reading applicant’s CVs and being on the other side of the interview table, asking rather than answering the questions, was a valuable eye-opener. Having been in this position exactly a year ago, I relished this opportunity. It made me reassess my interview style and I took away tips and tricks which I will employ in the future. My advice is to get involved if you can with any interview processes. This is priceless in my opinion and I really enjoyed it.

I am looking forward to what I can make out of the second half of the year.”

You can also find out more from Ben at State Street, as well as our other Guest Bloggers over the coming year!

Feel free to add your thoughts below! Would you like a placement at State Street?