Risk Industrial Placement Review

As a Risk & Controls Testing Industrial Placement Student within Nationwide's Controls Testing Team (CTT), I support the independent testing and assurance of key business controls across a range of risk areas. My role involves working with stakeholders from across the organisation to understand control processes, assess design and operating effectiveness, and document findings to help ensure risks are managed appropriately. This has given me exposure to areas including Data Privacy, Security, Finance, Treasury, and Data Governance.
On a day-to-day basis, I attend walkthrough meetings with subject matter experts, produce detailed meeting notes, review evidence, conduct control testing, and support the completion of Design Adequacy Assessments (DAAs). I also analyse control documentation, identify gaps or improvement opportunities, and contribute to wider team initiatives such as process improvement activities, gap analysis exercises, colleague engagement events, and working groups. Alongside my core responsibilities, I regularly network with and shadow teams across Nationwide to broaden my understanding of risk management and the wider business

Yes, definitely. One of the things that surprised me most during my placement was the level of trust and responsibility I was given from an early stage.
Rather than simply observing, I was actively involved in delivering assurance work. This included leading walkthrough meetings with business stakeholders, documenting and analysing control processes, conducting control testing, reviewing evidence, and completing Design Adequacy Assessments across a variety of risk areas. I was trusted to manage my own workload, engage directly with subject matter experts, and present findings to colleagues and stakeholders.
Beyond my day-to-day role, I also supported wider team initiatives, including a gap analysis project that involved working alongside senior managers and presenting the outcomes to the Head of Controls Testing. I have additionally contributed to colleague engagement activities, working groups, and cross-functional projects, which allowed me to develop relationships across the business and gain exposure to a wide range of teams.
Overall, I was given responsibility that went far beyond what I expected from an internship, which helped me develop both my technical knowledge and confidence in a professional environment.

Absolutely. Throughout my placement I developed both technical and professional skills, many of which I had limited exposure to before joining Nationwide.
From a technical perspective, I strengthened my understanding of risk management, controls testing, and assurance activities. I learnt how to conduct walkthroughs with subject matter experts, assess control design, review evidence, document findings, and complete Design Adequacy Assessments. Working across a range of areas, including Data Privacy, Security, Data Governance, Finance, and Treasury, helped me build a much broader understanding of how risk and controls operate across a large organisation.
I also developed my stakeholder management and communication skills. Over the year I became more confident engaging with colleagues at all levels, leading meetings, asking challenging questions where appropriate, and presenting my work to senior stakeholders. Through projects such as the Controls Testing gap analysis, I gained experience working alongside senior managers and presenting recommendations to leadership teams.
In addition, I improved my organisation, problem-solving, and analytical skills by balancing multiple pieces of work simultaneously, working to deadlines, and taking ownership of tasks independently. The placement has significantly increased my confidence, professional judgement, and ability to work effectively within a large corporate environment.

I received a great balance of support and independence throughout my placement. From the beginning, my manager and wider team were always available to answer questions, provide feedback, and help me develop my understanding of controls testing and risk management. I was given structured guidance when learning new processes, but also encouraged to take ownership of my work and build confidence in my own judgement.
As I became more experienced, I was trusted with increasing levels of responsibility while still having access to support whenever needed. This included leading walkthrough discussions, conducting testing activities, completing assessments, and working directly with stakeholders across the business. Regular feedback from managers and colleagues helped me continuously improve, while the collaborative nature of the team meant there was always someone willing to share their knowledge and expertise.
I also benefited from support beyond my immediate team through shadowing opportunities, networking conversations, and exposure to different business areas across Nationwide. This allowed me to gain a much broader understanding of the organisation and helped shape my professional development throughout the placement year.

The company culture was one of the highlights of my placement. Nationwide has a very supportive, collaborative, and inclusive environment where colleagues are encouraged to share knowledge, ask questions, and help one another. As an intern, I felt valued as a member of the team rather than being treated as someone who was only there to observe. The willingness of colleagues to give their time, provide guidance, and involve me in meaningful work made it easy to settle into the organisation.
Within the Controls Testing Team, there was a strong focus on teamwork and continuous improvement. People were approachable and genuinely invested in helping others succeed, whether that was supporting day-to-day work, providing feedback, or creating opportunities for development. I was encouraged to get involved in meetings, contribute my ideas, and take on new challenges, which helped me grow both professionally and personally.
The atmosphere was professional but also friendly and welcoming. Alongside delivering important work, the team regularly organised social activities and engagement events, which helped build relationships and create a sense of community. This balance between achieving business objectives and creating a positive working environment made my placement an enjoyable and rewarding experience

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement and would describe it as one of the most valuable experiences of my professional development so far. The role gave me the opportunity to work on meaningful pieces of work, contribute to real business outcomes, and gain responsibility far beyond what I initially expected from an internship. Through involvement in controls testing, walkthroughs, stakeholder engagement, and improvement projects, I was constantly challenged to learn and develop new skills.
One of the aspects I enjoyed most was the variety of experiences available. Alongside my day-to-day role in the Controls Testing Team, I had opportunities to work with colleagues across different business areas, take part in networking and shadowing opportunities, contribute to team initiatives, and support wider engagement activities. This gave me a broad understanding of how a large organisation operates and helped me discover areas of interest for my future career.
The supportive culture and strong relationships I built throughout the year also had a significant impact on my experience. I felt trusted, valued, and encouraged to contribute from an early stage, which made the placement both rewarding and enjoyable. Overall, I have gained valuable technical knowledge, professional skills, and confidence, and the experience has reinforced my desire to continue developing my career within the organisation.

Yes