Barclays Bank PLC - The First Year

What a fantastic journey I have been on working full time in this Bank. To be honest the first year was a bit boring, but I suppose that was always going to be the case. During this first year a would learn some of the simple tasks which a new employee could tackle. These would include posting Bank Statements, answering the telephone and learning people skills. Something which in time I would need when dealing with the public. I worked in the machine room, learning how to process cheques and work a very large computer. These of course are no longer widely used, but they where at the time. Overtime I would learn how to work with other members of staff in this enviroment. Later I would be taught how to be the machine room assistant and the machine room supervisor. A whole new range of skills which I am still unable to declare, top secret!

Work Experience 1979 - 1983

I began my working career in 1979. From the age of 13 years, in careers school groups I decided that when I was old enough I would love to work in a Bank. Being good at mathematics was probably the reason for taking this path. I have always found this subject easy to grasp and enjoyable to learn. At the age of 17, during January I went ahead with interviews from the top six Banks. These included National Westminster Bank, Barclays Bank, Midland Bank, Lloyds Bank, TSB and the Cooperative Bank. The first interview was with the National Westminster Bank. One of the top Banks at the time. The second interview was with Barclays Bank, who offered me a job straight away. So of course I accepted their offer of a 35 hour full time contract. This was to become a great career that lasted for 15 years. More about all my experience next time!

Helen Arlidge CreateCrochet.co.uk

About Me My name is Helen and I am 59. I grew up in Brighton and Woodingdean a suburb of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex United Kingdom, with my parents and younger brother. My brother and I were quite close then, which was really nice. My Mother had what I now know was post natal depression. Not a nice illness to have. This meant that after School finished I would go home and look after him. When he became a teenager he didnt need me so much. This was the start of us seeing less of each other. We slowly grew apart as we went in different directions in our lives. As there are 10 years difference between us it has become clearer over time that we would not meet as much. Things have definately changed since becoming adults. I went to Rudyard Kipling Infant and Junior Schools in Woodingdean. I cant remember much about Infant School, but have both happy and sad memories of Junior School. At play time my friends and I would get together to play french skipping or marbles. These were happy memories. At this School I learnt a lot about people and their personalities. Some of these friendships would turn out to be difficult and sometimes challenging. Something that has stayed with me throughout adulthood. At the age of 11 years it was time to move on. So I would then spend the last 6 years at Longhill High School near Rottingdean. More about that next time...