"My internship with Citi was a truly memorable experience – one which really gave me a genuine insight into the day-to-day workings of the Investment Bank."

From the first day, all interns, regardless of division, were exposed to the Firm’s induction program, providing an insight to the Firm’s history, its high ethical expectations, and an introduction to software programs as well as policies and procedures. The investment banking interns were also provided with training in programs such as Excel and Powerpoint which we would be using extensively throughout the internship.

The internship program within the Investment Bank was well planned – with a diverse and interesting range of projects assigned to me, resulting in minimal idle time and providing a true reflection of life as a full-time analyst. Over the ten weeks, there was an underlying project which involved creating a mergers and acquisitions database covering deals since 1995. There were also other projects that I simultaneously worked on as I rotated throughout the industry groups, such as: an overview of the Australian hotel industry; creating a significant portion of a pitchbook; financial and statistical analysis; and the publication of a weekly newsletter for distribution to Citi clients. Such interesting work was made more enjoyable by the professional attitude of the staff who were more than willing to take time out of their busy schedules to provide me with explanations and assistance on any occasion. From my daily interactions with all levels of staff, from analysts to managing directors, Citi’s employees displayed a culture that was open, with respect for one another and a genuine enthusiasm and professionalism for their work.

Another highlight of the internship were the weekly lunches, where all interns gathered to listen to presentations from each division in Citi. Not only was this beneficial to our understanding of the Firm but it also allowed us to gain an appreciation for the bank’s vast product offering, the interrelationships between divisions and ultimately, what makes Citi the world’s largest and most profitable financial institution.

Other enjoyable aspects of the internship included being assigned buddies, an inter-bank volleyball competition and the various social lunches and dinners – suggesting that the staff had unquestionably put a lot of effort and thought to ensure the internship program was an enjoyable experience – something which I am truly appreciative of the Firm for giving me.