Any updates on Barclays 2020 SA?
Hi folks, the title speaks all. I wrote an email to HR hoping to be updated with the SA plan. After days, still got no reply. In the early of March, I wrote similar email and got a feedback within one or two days saying that the estimated start date of summer program is June 2. Now, things have changed as everybody knows but hearing nothing from Barclays for almost a month while other firms are making progress on on boarding/ virtual internship/ guaranteed FT offer/ delayed start day/ promise on no cancellation, etc really makes people frustrated. Really hope the internship is still a go and if it follows Citi’s suits that would be even better.
I emailed HR and they got back to me relatively quickly! Here is their response word for word:
"We have been working diligently with this situation and have yet to have all the final confirmations put into place. However, I can assure you that we will still have the internship program this year. However, it will more than likely get pushed back to the first week in July and has a good chance of being virtual. I cannot confirm if it’ll be in person or not for another two to three weeks.
Please don’t book any accommodations yet.
We apologize if we haven’t communicated as much but we’ve been waiting to hear back from the group ends for some time as well. Thank you for understanding."
I am definitely excited it’s not cancelled, and I appreciate the candid update, but I am also frustrated that there will be no further information or confirmation for ANOTHER 2-3 weeks regarding the internship. why is Barclays taking so damn long to make a decision when literally EVERY OTHER BANK has made a decision already?! it’s quite frustrating, to be honest. I really appreciate the response but this entire ordeal is quite unbecoming and unbearable. it puts a bitter taste in my mouth. I wonder if anyone else feels the same.
I appreciate your frustration, but this is overly dramatic. No, not all banks have confirmed whether the internship will be fully virtual or in-person (BAML, CS, etc). Obviously the preference for Barclays is an in-person internship, and going virtual is a worst case scenario. If they can wait on this decision and instead offer you an in-person experience (which would be better for everyone), wouldn't you be happy they waited? This is up to NYC restrictions and COVID's development, not Barclays. Yes some bank (MS, JPM, etc.) committed to virtual immediately, that was their decision. The other approach is waiting and attempting the real deal: enter Barclays and others.
That said, I completely agree they should communicate the official delay as soon as possible. This has direct impact on student schedules (and accommodation arrangements). I would like to think this e-mail update will come formally in less than 2-3 weeks, but maybe that's wishful thinking...
Either way, given unemployment is testing record highs and GDP is falling apart, let's try to focus on the positive: they are honoring the internship (virtual or not)!
Friendly neighborhood Barclays VP here.
Confirmed that start date will be July 6, 2020. Duration reduced to 6 weeks, but you will still get paid based on 10 weeks as well as relocation payment. We are still working out whether virtual or physical.
** below is personal speculation**
I don't believe there will be "guaranteed FT offers." 6 weeks, even if virtual, will be enough to tell whether you have a good work ethic, attitude, and aptitude to learn. That being said, Barclays tends to give out very high offer rates (my group's offer rate has been 100% for the past 5 years) due to our conservative, selective hiring nature for the Summer positions. In the case we do not announce guaranteed FT offers, I would suggest a high level of attention and a good attitude over the summer and you should be fine. Problems and challenges are part of the job, and your individual situation is always taken into account for any return offer. It's up to you to bring your A game, which is the same you should expect from us in terms of training and mentorship.
Really appreciate all the intel you've been sharing. I def agree that going virtual does not mean interns can push less on the job, but considering that some individuals live in environments with poor wifi / have to share their room with other people / need to help out the family when they are at home (e.g. elders or younger siblings), I do expect hardships for some individuals and genuinely hope that they can cope through them.
I would highly recommend anyone in that situation, or any other limiting factor, to communicate openly with HR and your team about your setup and situation. Nobody's going to get dinged because their wifi or family situation is bad. People get dinged because they are careless, lazy, bad attitudes (Wolf of Wall St hardo that shows up late and hung over on a Wednesday), etc. or it turns out that you straight up don't want to do banking as a career.
I get it. I'm at home taking care of my family with my toddler screaming in my ear like a USMC Drill Instructor. So are the Directors/MDs. Nobody is going to be unfair about any offers (and we aren't in normal circumstances either). Also, maybe we will end up doing auto-offers, I don't know, it's not part of the communication though. Just giving my personal opinion.
Thanks for your updates! I think this is a great outcome for the bank and all incoming interns. As you said, with a great attitude and hard work, it's in your hands to land the FT offer. I am sure Barclays hopes all recruited interns will be successful. Certainly within reason!
Not to cross-contaminate threads, but has there been any word on the cascading impacts to the FT program now that summer has been determined? I.e. any expected delays, or confirmation of virtual on-boarding?
Thanks, I genuinely believe that will be the case.
On FT, thanks for the question, I've raised it to my HR contact and will let you know.
EDIT: "As of now no changes to full time have been determined (other than a virtual platform as a contingency). We'll be sure to keep you posted as decisions are made."