Barclays Glasgow Campus Work Experience
A blog by Linda Msaky, Student at Notre Dame High school
Barclays Glasgow Campus Work Experience
This week, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a two-day work experience at Barclays, organised through my school. It offered invaluable insights into working for a global bank, exploring career pathways for graduates and apprentices, engaging in interactive workshops, learning interview tips, and much more!
Monday
We started off the day with a fun icebreaker in the off-desk area—a space where employees can relax and connect. The challenge was to build something with Lego starting with the first letter of our name, and it was a great way to ease into the experience.
Next, Ross Boyd and Zak guided us on a tour of the Glasgow campus, sharing fascinating facts about the modern facility. We also got to see the outside of Barclays very own bee hive!
We then attended a carousel session where early career colleagues from various departments—Complience, Risk, Operation, Tech, Finance, HR,—shared their journeys. Hearing their stories gave me a clearer idea of potential career paths.
Later, we had an introduction to corporate banking, followed by a quiz and a brainstorming session on the future of banking. A budgeting exercise using a “Monopoly” style game was especially memorable (my team won!). The day ended with invaluable interview tips from interviewer Fraser S., who shared practical advice on common mistakes and how to stand out which helped so much!
Tuesday
The second day began with a software engineering challenge where we used code to control a golf ball. Each hole presented new difficulties, requiring lots of problem-solving and teamwork.
Next, the Legal team walked us through the complexity of negotiations and contracts. We worked through an interactive scenario that deepened our understanding of contract law.
We then explored financial crime, learning about financial safety and how banks detect and manage money laundering risks. It was eye-opening to see how critical this work is to the bank’s integrity.
Our day wrapped up with finalising and presenting our “future of banking” ideas to a panel of Barclays employees—an exciting challenge, even though we didn’t win this time.
Finally, we had a Q&A panel with early careers apprentices and graduates. I asked lots of questions about the application process, their personal journeys, and what it’s like to work at Barclays.
A Big Thank You!
I want to express my gratitude to DYW Glasgow for bringing this opportunity. Also to Jackie Greig for your contagious enthusiasm, Zak for all your tech insight, Ross Boyd for all I learnt about compliance, Sarah and her team for giving me insight to the world of law and everyone who made these two days so engaging and informative. Your energy, support, and willingness to share your experiences made this experience truly memorable. I’ve learned so much and wish everyone the best in their future careers!
