Software Engineer Intern Review

During my internship in the HBO department, I was part of the automation team working with the GMS system and led the backend development of our intern business project an AI-powered code feedback tool using NatWest’s AIDEN model. My day-to-day involved a mix of technical development, agile project management, and collaboration:
Designing and implementing backend APIs in Java Spring Boot.
Writing unit tests, conducting endpoint testing in Postman, and producing clear documentation.
Acting as an unofficial Scrum Master running stand-ups, managing our Kanban board, and prioritising work.
Researching and applying best practices in agile, DevOps, and AI ethics to our workflows.
Engaging with stakeholders through spotlight sessions, coffee chats, and technical training.
Supporting colleagues by troubleshooting technical issues and ensuring no one was blocked.
This balance of technical execution and team facilitation meant I contributed not only as a developer but also as a driver of delivery discipline and team cohesion.

Yes was trusted with significant responsibility from the start, both in technical delivery and in shaping how our team worked. Key examples include:
Leading backend development for the business project and ensuring industry-standard coding practices were followed.
Introducing agile frameworks to the intern team, creating over 38 user stories, and managing workflow tracking.
Representing the team in our final project demo and owning the live application walkthrough.
Acting as a knowledge-sharing point from explaining the GMS system to introducing tools like GitLab Duo, Postman, and UFT.
Liaising with experienced engineers (e.g., DevOps lead) to explore advanced topics and bring back insights for the team.
This level of responsibility gave me scope to directly influence our project’s success, strengthened my leadership skills, and prepared me to contribute immediately in a graduate role.

Yes my internship significantly expanded both my technical and professional skills:
Technical Skills
Agile delivery Introduced and practised industry-standard agile methods, including sprint planning, backlog management, Kanban boards, and daily stand-ups.
Backend development — Designed scalable APIs in Java Spring Boot, wrote unit tests, and performed endpoint testing with Postman.
AI & automation Applied NatWest’s AIDEN model in a practical project, researched RAG-based AI systems, and completed the AI Ethics course.
DevOps exposure Learned about NatWest’s DevOps pipelines from senior engineers and explored GitLab Duo for integrated AI-assisted development.
Testing tools Gained experience with UFT scripting and broadened my understanding of test strategies and execution.
Professional & Behavioural Skills
Leadership without formal authority Acted as an unofficial Scrum Master, ensuring inclusive collaboration and on-time delivery.
Communication Engaged with stakeholders, presented project outcomes, and shared knowledge with peers.
Collaboration Supported teammates with technical issues, adjusted workloads when necessary, and maintained a positive team culture.
Networking & relationship building Built connections through spotlight sessions, coffee chats, and cross-departmental engagement.
By the end of the internship, I had strengthened my ability to deliver technical work in a structured, collaborative way, while aligning to NatWest’s three core behaviours: starting with customers, raising the bar, and owning my impact.

I received strong and consistent support throughout my internship, both from my line manager and from colleagues across the HBO department.
Line Manager & Graduate Buddy: Regular catch-ups with my line manager, Donald, and my graduate buddy, Daniel, provided a safe space to discuss progress, challenges, and development goals. Their feedback and encouragement helped me refine my approach and focus on high-value tasks.
Technical Mentorship: Subject matter experts, such as Saranaya for GMS and Andy for DevOps, took the time to explain systems, share best practices, and give me opportunities to explore tools like UFT, Postman, and GitLab Duo.
Early Talent Team: Scheduled check-ins and spotlight sessions from the Early Talent team kept me connected to the wider graduate pathway and provided career insights.
Peer Support: Other interns and colleagues were collaborative and open to knowledge sharing, which made it easier to work through challenges quickly.
While I had access to plenty of guidance, I was also encouraged to take initiative — researching independently, proposing ideas (such as adopting agile practices for our project), and seeking answers proactively. This combination of support and autonomy made the learning experience both structured and empowering.

The culture at NatWest is collaborative, inclusive, and forward-looking. Even as an intern, I felt part of the wider mission and was encouraged to contribute ideas and ask questions.
Inclusivity & Support: Leaders and colleagues at all levels were approachable and willing to share their knowledge. The emphasis on inclusion meant everyone’s perspective was valued, whether you were a graduate, intern, or senior engineer.
Customer-Centric Mindset: The “We start with customers” behaviour was evident in team discussions, with a constant focus on how technology could improve customer journeys, such as streamlining the GMS process or reducing deployment downtime.
Innovation-Driven: There’s a strong appetite for embracing new technologies AI models like AIDEN, GitLab Duo, and low-code platforms such as PowerApps are being actively explored and adopted.
Collaboration Across Teams: From spotlight sessions to volunteering at The Turing Trust, there were plenty of opportunities to connect across departments and functions.
Work-Life Balance: Initiatives like wellbeing sessions, coffee chats, and social events showed that the bank values employee wellbeing alongside productivity.
Overall, the atmosphere was one where you’re trusted to take ownership, supported to learn, and encouraged to raise the bar all of which made the internship both rewarding and motivating.

I thoroughly enjoyed my internship it was both professionally rewarding and personally motivating.
Challenging & Engaging Work: Leading backend development for our AI-powered business project, acting as an unofficial Scrum Master, and exploring tools like AIDEN, GitLab Duo, and UFT gave me real, impactful work to deliver.
Continuous Learning: I was able to deepen my technical skills in Java Spring Boot, agile delivery, and testing, while also broadening my knowledge in areas like AI ethics and DevOps.
Inclusive Culture: The collaborative, supportive environment made it easy to integrate, share ideas, and take ownership of my contributions.
Networking & Exposure: Regular spotlight sessions, coffee chats, and volunteering experiences enriched my understanding of the bank and its people.
Sense of Impact: Whether streamlining developer workflows in our project or contributing to the Turing Trust’s mission, I could see how my work connected to NatWest’s values and the “three behaviours.”
Overall, the placement confirmed that NatWest is where I want to start my career. It gave me both the skills and the confidence to step into the graduate role and continue contributing to the bank’s innovation and customer-first approach.

Yes