Deutsche Bank Spring Week

My Spring Week at Deutsche Bank - An insight into Banking by Sophie Hu, 3rd Year Economics student at Trevelyan College. 

My journey at Deutsche Bank began in 2020, during my first year of university. As a fresher, I was unsure of what corporate life would entail, so I applied for Spring Weeks. I discovered Deutsche Bank's GROW programme (in addition to their Spring Into Banking programme), which provides women with the opportunity to learn about the diverse opportunities available in the business. I found the application procedure reassuringly straightforward, uploading a refreshed CV, trying my hand at a brief cover letter (as is the case with many banks), followed by a competency-based telephone interview. 

The three-day programme began with an introduction to the firm and its values, followed by cross-divisional presentations and the chance to network with other interns and seniors. The second day included a variety of group exercises addressing soft skills such as communication and leadership, as well as technical information, which I found really valuable considering my lack of prior expertise! On the final day, I participated in an organised mock interview and evaluation centre, which was the most engaging part of my experience. Working as a team with the other interns made the whole process less intimidating and provided me confidence. It was also reassuring to have people in the industry take the time to interact with me and provide personalised input, making me feel welcomed and respected. Despite the fact that the experience was virtual (and there were some odd breakout rooms), the overall experience was really engaging, especially because there were a few socials planned, such as a virtual quiz night! 

I would strongly recommend the programme to anyone who is unclear where to begin in the banking industry. For me, the programme was a springboard to my summer internship in the Finance division, which I completed after converting through the assessment centre!