Pros
One of the biggest positives for me is the support for career development, especially if you’re still figuring things out. Before joining Lloyds, I was planning to go into the medical field, so banking wasn’t something I had experience in. I started in customer service and learned everything on the job. What really stood out to me is the level of support, even when your career plans change. After deciding to stay and build a career at Lloyds, I chose to do a Senior Financial Advisor apprenticeship because I thought the financial side was right for me. However, as I went through it, I realised it wasn’t something I truly enjoyed or wanted long term. What made a huge difference was how supported I still felt through that. When I applied for an HR apprenticeship, the encouragement and support was just as strong, and now I’m in a role I genuinely love. The way Lloyds embraces “squiggly careers” really surprised me in the best way. You’re not expected to have everything figured out, and there’s real patience and backing while you work out what’s right for you. It genuinely feels like the organisation cares about your future and supports you step by step.
Cons
At times, the number of opportunities and different pathways can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re someone who wants to try everything or is still figuring out what direction you want to take. That said, in my experience this is usually more of a personal blocker than an organisational one. Whenever I’ve felt unsure or doubted myself, speaking to colleagues or senior leaders has always helped me gain clarity. There’s a strong culture of support, so even if you don’t have all the answers straight away, someone will help you find them. Because of that, I haven’t personally experienced any major downsides, as most challenges are quickly supported and resolved.