Barlclays Wealth - Geneva Operations have welcomed two interns from Glasgow over the summer period, namely Jennifer Mcpake and Henry White.

Their internship has come to an end and they have now flown back to sunny Glasgow over the last weekend of August. However, before they left, we thought we'd pay a quick tribute and interview them as they have made great contributions in the short time they have been with us.

Here is what our interns had to say before they flew back…:

Question: What is your background? How have you managed to end up in Barclays Wealth Geneva?

Jennifer McPake: The journey through University must one day come to an end! With this in mind, I began to look carefully at how I might prepare myself for the next stage of the rest of my life. As I did so, I came across the Saltire Foundation. I discovered that the Saltire Foundation was an independent charitable organisation backed by Scottish Enterprise which has been established to provide Scotland with people who have the business skills and entrepreneurial drive to transform Scottish companies into ones which can take their place on the global stage. No small challenge, for Scotland…or for me!

In enquiring further, I discovered an Internship Programme which offered a gateway that potentially led to a whole variety of diverse companies across the globe. I recognised Barclays Wealth based in Geneva. Having lived and studied in France for a year as part of my Law with French course at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, this immediately caught my eye and I began to research Barclays Wealth more thoroughly. Of course, I liked what I saw! Suitably impressed, I chose this direction and applied to the Saltire Foundation and there began the progression through the many stages of the selection process which finally lead me to the offices of Barclays Wealth in Glasgow. In anticipation, the interview process never seemed more daunting, but following my meeting with Scott Stewart and Alastair MacLennan, I felt as thought I had given it my best shot and to my delight, I was chosen! As a result, I became one of the first pairs of interns to take up an internship with Barclays Wealth as a result of their new partnership with the Saltire Foundation.

Henry White: I am originally from Manchester, England but have spent the past three years studying Geography at Edinburgh University in Scotland. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to work for Barclays when I applied to an internship programme set up by the Scottish Enterprise (part of the Scottish Government). They have created a scheme where each year 60 applicants are selected to undergo 8 week internships to a range of companies around the world. After finding out about the scheme and seeing the list of potential internships I chose Barclays Wealth in Geneva, and was lucky enough through a series of interviews to be selected along with Jennifer McPake.

Q: Which teams have you been working with essentially?

JM: We have been working as part of the Operations team, and it has been a real journey that began with a mix of apprehension and excitement, and ends soon with a genuine sense that we really have become members of that team. I have felt welcomed and included and have been able to interact and learn from individuals. Equally, one of the benefits of being an intern is that you get to look across the whole range of teams and begin to see how each individual team fits into the much wider whole. That sense of seeing the operation as a whole has been quite fascinating, especially, of course, in relation to the Operations Team!

HW: I have been working with the Settlements and Alternatives, Funds & Derivatives Operations teams in the Rue de la Synagogue site. Due to the nature of my project I have been working most closely with Daniel Rodricks on a hedge funds custody project.

Q: What daily tasks did you have to undertake in the office?

JM: The projects that I have been involved in have focussed on the analysis of fee discounting and the identification of patterns in the ongoing trade which lies at the heart of operations. As a result of the analysis, I genuinely feel that I have been able to make a contribution to Barclays Wealth. Equally, in order to complete my investigation and analysis, I have been making contact with people from offices all over the globe.

HW: Initially we were given training guides and access to Avaloq (day minus 1) to begin familiarising ourselves with how the company and office operates on a daily basis. Once we felt comfortable I began working with Daniel Rodricks on a trailer fees project and a funds custody project. Due to the size and importance of the funds custody project, this became the priority and for the past 6 weeks this has required my full attention. Daily tasks have been compiling a detailed list of hedge funds to be transferred across to Citiconnect and Fundsettle using Avaolq 2.7 and excel and continually in contact with Citi Dublin and the relevant fund houses connected to each fund.

Q: On a personal basis how was your settling in experience in Geneva? Did you find it easy or difficult? Do you have any anecdotes?

JM: On arriving in Geneva at the beginning of July, our initial accommodation was in the beautiful small town of Coppet, and thereafter to a flat in the centre of Geneva. I was struck immediately by the beauty of the city and its surroundings, and I never cease to look around me and sense the history of the city now serving as the hub of global finance. I have found the city to be compact and readily accessible and have found settling in much easier that I initially anticipated. One of the pleasures of being in Geneva over the summer has been sharing in the experience of the Fêtes de Genève, where the city comes alive and is at its most vibrant. The closing fireworks display was simply spectacular!

HW: It has been easy to settle into life in Geneva. For the first week we lived just outside of Coppet, a beautifully picturesque area further along the lake. For the remaining 7 weeks we have been located in Champel, a great area of town, a short walk form the old town and the lake and just 20 minutes from work. The people in Geneva both in and out of work have felt us feel very welcome, making it a very enjoyable experience. The only thing really I have found hard has been the cost of living, balancing my finances so I don't return an even poorer Student than when I left. Anecdotes: Co-op yogurts, packed lunches, monthly transport pass and a great baguette shop introduced to me by my colleague Arnaud Barray; 1 metre [sandwich] for 11 Francs, even at home that is a bargain!

Q: What impression did the teams and the environment leave on you?

JM: I believe that my future horizons have been substantially broadened as a result of these past 8 weeks working in Barclays Geneva. The impression made upon me has been of a global commercial enterprise involved in an operation of complexity which turns on the contribution of each person and of each team within that enterprise. Were any one to cease to play their part or to lose their focus, then the team as a whole could suffer as a consequence. That impression will remain imprinted upon me. It has been my privilege to play a role in the Operations team.

HW: In 8 weeks I have learnt an incredible amount from my colleagues. An unwavering work ethic and dedication from people such as Konstantinos Allotriadis, a direct no nonsense approach from Ben Naismith, thousands of excel shortcuts from Daniel Rodricks, my daily French phrase from Sylvie Balland-Esteves and Christophe Raemy and the introduction to the amazing sandwich shop from Arnaud Barray. There are too many people to name in the office who are devout and dedicated to their jobs, but each one in a different way has left an impression on me which I know will both shape and benefit my future career.

Q: How was the experience overall? If offered, would you do it again?

JM: Overall this experience, and opportunity, has been quite incredible. It has challenged me on so many levels, and has enabled me to grow personally in ways I had not anticipated. If I had been told three months ago that I would have been carrying out the variety of projects to completion that I have, I would not have believed them. I have grown in confidence as to my abilities, and feel able to take on a whole new range of challenges. Would I do it again? Without a doubt!

HW: I have had a fantastic time out here, both in office hours in Barclays Wealth and in and around Geneva. At work I have met some very intelligent, interesting and ambitious people and learnt how to work efficiently and effectively both using computer programmes and in dealing with colleagues and third parties. Geneva has been a home from home for the summer, not just the city, thriving during the Fêtes de Genève but also its location in Europe with so man amazing places just a stones throw away. I would jump a the chance to do something like this again and once my degree at Edinburgh is complete I would like to apply for a position at Barclays Wealth and the Geneva site would be at the top of my list, however in the meantime I would like to start brushing up my French, just in case.