In this series, we speak to our diverse and talented colleagues about life at FINBOURNE. In each interview, we learn about the multi-faceted roles at the company and what life is like in a fast-paced scale-up.
This time we caught up with two summer interns, Mahmood and Nicole, to hear about their time and what they have learned at FINBOURNE in their respective roles in the Web and Product teams.
What motivated you to apply for an internship at FINBOURNE?
Mahmood: I was drawn to the idea of working for a fast-paced technology company who are providing innovative solutions to some of the largest financial services firms in the world. It’s fascinating to see how technology shapes everything we do, especially in an industry as critical as finance. Engineering here is not just about building things—it’s about creating solutions that are deeply integrated within the real world.
Nicole: Coming into FINBOURNE with no experience of the fintech industry, I was really keen to explore and understand what a role looks like in this space. It was exciting to see how I could apply my skills in a field that blends both technology and finance.
What did a typical day in the office look like?
Mahmood: My day usually started with joining the daily standup meeting, where we’d discuss the tasks for the day. The morning would be spent coding, attending meetings, and collaborating with other teams across the business. Lunch was a great time to take a break and meet with the other interns who were all working in different departments. In the afternoon, I’d support my experienced team members with code testing and reviewing. I really enjoyed the mix of focused work and team collaboration as it kept the day varied and engaging.
Nicole: I worked across different areas of the product, from web management to building partnerships and integrations. The open, friendly office environment allowed me to collaborate with different members of my team, each managing their part of the product. While the first few weeks were a steep learning curve, especially coming from a non-fintech background, the support in the office made it easy to ask questions and learn from colleagues quickly.
I found that getting hands-on with tasks was the best way to pick things up. If I struggled with one task, I could easily switch to another and return to it with a fresh perspective, which kept things interesting. I really enjoyed the social element of the internship – often I’d have lunch or coffee with the other interns, where we shared our experiences and bonded throughout the 10 weeks.
What surprised you the most about working for FINBOURNE?
Mahmood: I was pleasantly surprised by the balance of guidance and independence you get. As an intern, you’re well supported, but also trusted to contribute in your own way. Because of the scale-up nature of the company, you have the ability to make an impact from day one. Each day I would learn something new from my colleagues, and that’s thanks to the strong sense of community at FINBOURNE.
Nicole: I was surprised and appreciative of the strong female community at FINBOURNE. In industries like fintech, which tend to be male-dominated, I wasn’t sure what to expect. While there’s still a difference in gender representation across departments, it’s not as intimidating as I thought it might be. It’s nice to see women represented and supported in this space.
How would you describe your internship experience in three words?
Mahmood: Innovative, Challenging, Transformative
Nicole: Eye-opening, Fun, Insightful.
Why would you encourage a candidate to apply for an internship at FINBOURNE?
Mahmood: FINBOURNE offers an incredible learning experience in a supportive and collaborative environment. You’re not just treated as an intern—they really invest in teaching you the professional and personal skills you need in the workplace, and I will certainly take these with me as I progress my career.
Nicole: Unlike some internships that feel more surface-level, where you’re just observing, at FINBOURNE, you really contribute and feel like you’re making a difference. I’ve not only gained a lot of experience, but now, looking back on my internship, it’s rewarding to see some of the contributions I’ve made to the team.
Next steps:
On behalf of FINBOURNE, we would like to wish Mahmood all the best with the remainder of his Masters in Mechanical Engineering. We also look forward to working with Nicole who will be returning to FINBOURNE on a permanent basis as a Graduate Product Manager.
If you’re interested in finding out more about our graduate positions, please check out our careers page.
