matt85

If you are you could really help me out.

I'm currently an Economics undergraduate and would really like to pursue a career in banking or similar. However, im well aware that many other people also see the ££££ before their eyes leading to massive competition for jobs, so i am hoping a spot of work-experience within the industry could help when i finally come to graduate.

So, what i am asking is that if anybody in this field or related industry can give me any ideas or advice into how to pursue this placement/ work experience or even better, to direct me into any available placements i would be very grateful as i am planninng on applying to all the usual suspects and would like to know how to make the application stand out from all the others they must get. Its not going to be a year out as such just a summer placement, so im not really too bothered about it being paid if it will help me in future.

If anybody could help me with this or the chief executives of JP Morgan or HSBC happens to be on Scoobynet then i would be very grateful for any help.

Much appreciated.

bigsinky

pm midget1500, he might be able to give you some advice. think he has something to do with finance. couple of other do futures 'n other stuff as well. i am sure they will be along presently

cheers

sinky

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

pm me mate im sure ile be able to help

Suresh

I've been called a merchant banker before if that helps?

What sort of function are you thinking of specialising in?
The skill sets and personality types suited to a particular area do vary a lot.

You might want to apply for an internship with this lot via their website. A quality outfit IMHO.

http://graduates.ubs.com/career/en/index.shtml

Good luck!

Suresh

Petem95

At least thats what you thought they said

Bubba po

TelBoy in the Muppet section will be able to help, I reckon. I'd PM him, though, because everyone will take the ****.

marky1

matt, many of the investment banks are picky as to what university you are at/went to. The rest need fantastic grades, i.e. 1st or at worst 2.1.

Most of the banks have summer placement schemes, you just apply to them, the good news if if you get on one, and do well, you have a very good chance of ending up working for them.

Just sell yourself well in your application, the rest is to an extent out of your hands.

Also have a look at some of the "smaller" places, i.e. Close Brothers, NM Rothschild. Also don't know about your ambitions within banks but you could also look at some of the trading houses, ICAP etc.

Mark

TelBoy

Matt, do PM me if you wish, or else my first question would be to ask what University you're at?

marky1

Can't tell if you're being sarcastic there Telboy with ref to university!!? In my experience they were pretty picky.

TelBoy

Nope, i'm not. Red brick university - half a chance of summer internment. "Ordinary" university - treading the boards from the back office up. Harsh but the way it is.

marky1

Fair enough, as I thought. You allowed to say who you're with by the way or would you rather not?

TelBoy

A N Other bank, mate. They're all of a muchness to be honest.

TopBanana

Morgan Stanley offered me a job once. Everyone I met whilst I was there seemed like corporate clones. So glad I turned it down

TelBoy

Possibly, but if compensation is your desire, there are few better places in which to achieve it. Not in the top 10 employers in the country for nothing...

matt85

D'oh! Im at Nottingham Trent, which im aware comes in very much under 'ordinary'; the irony being with my A Level grades i could have went to the 'red-brick' Nottingham University, but decided the social scene at Trent was more to my liking! If then, this is the case as you say, would it be better if i waited and applied to the big boys shortly before my final year with what hopfully will be such *amazing* grades they felt obliged to give me a try? Or does the university snobbery still persist?

Marky1: My grade hopefully shouldnt be an issue because if its takes a 1st to get it then thats what i'll get. Its amazing what you can achieve when you actually focus and start doing what tutors tell you to! Also, thanks for the advice about looking for smaller companies, could be very useful.

Much appreciated all.

TelBoy

University snobbery still exists i'm afraid - these blue chip banks can afford to be fussy. Gone are the days when people would be literally dragged in off the street to "have a go" - these days it tends to be a lot more technical and specialised, so a degree in a relevant subject, especially mathematics, economics, law and so on would be an advantage. But you'd have to be exceptional, and more often than not get through a graduate recuitment scheme, to be given a shot without the drudgery that often precedes it, just be aware...

InvisibleMan

any merchant bankers here?

matt85

Yep, pretty much as i already thought really. However, it maybe naive but i think a 1st in Economics with Econometrics will carry some weight with someone worth working for regardless of University because they dont exactly give them away. To be honest i was thinking of going through a graduate recruitment scheme anyway- seemed to be the only way really without having a 'nice Uncle Fred' who plays golf with the MD occasionaly.

And anyway, i am exceptional

the moose

Good degree, but you'd honestly be amazed at how many people have similar qualifications. It's not a guarantee of a job with the merchant banks, that's for sure, but I'd be surprised if you didn't get an interview.

You could, of course, approach someone more blue-collar such as Barclays Capital, and trade up after a while. I know several people who've gone that route.

alistair

We take summer interns - apply on-line here