Category Archives: Financial Markets and the City

Nicholas, Financial Markets and the City

economics, Financial Markets and the City

Nicholas, Economics student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn from an industry expert and gain insight into what firms are looking for in applicants. Through the scheme, Nicholas was matched with a Financial Economics graduate from the University of Exeter who is now a Senior Client Portfolio Manager at Standard Life Wealth. He manages global equity portfolios for high net worth individuals.

Nicholas tells us more about his experience below:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

It was good to meet my career mentor in a casual setting, where not being overly formal and corporate made the experience more relaxed and enjoyable. We were able to talk through all of his experiences of the job and some of the more technical aspects of the work.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Learning some of the technical aspects of the work and understanding what the profession is really like from an inside perspective.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Apply and make sure you develop a good relationship with your career mentor, and meet them as much as possible.

He also gained a good understanding of the industry and the job and how to make use of LinkedIn.

Lemoy, Financial Markets and the City

economics, Financial Markets and the City

Lemoy, Economics student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to improve her employability skills and build up her interview techniques. Through the scheme, Lemoy was matched with a Markets Specialist for the Financial Conduct Authority. His main responsibilities include advising on investigations into insider dealing and market manipulation.

“It was really useful having a mock interview”

Lemoy achieved many objectives including increased knowledge of sector entry requirements, widened contacts and networking opportunities and increased knowledge of effective application forms in this sector.

Lemoy shared her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

One highlight was seeing my mentor at his place of work, which really inspired me to achieve more and get into the financial industry. It was also really useful having a mock interview in his offices, which made it seem more realistic. It also helped with real interviews I had after this, as the first one I had arranged offered me the job!

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I definitely found the mock interview the most useful part of this process. I always suffered from nerves going into an interview, but having practice ones made me more confident in real ones. Also, the fact that I now have a contact within an industry I’m interested in joining is invaluable.

Victoria, Financial Markets and the City

Financial Markets and the City, Geography

Victoria, Geography student, was interested in a career in Financial Markets and so applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain insight into the industry. Through the scheme, Victoria was matched with a Partner in Corporate Finance for KPMG who has previously worked as Head of European Project Finance for HSBC.

“There is nothing to lose”

Victoria achieved all of her objectives including to utilise her 8 week internship most effectively in order to be considered for a graduate role at the end of it, increase her knowledge of job hunting resources and increase her knowledge of effective application forms.

Victoria shared her experience in more detail:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

My mentor was great at supporting me throughout. Most significantly, having someone to discuss work-related topics that isn’t in your field really helps – it gives an outsiders view. He was great at supporting me in making decisions whilst I was working and gave me contacts to discuss insurance related products. Moreover, having my mentor to discuss work related topics means that I was kept on my toes and kept focused.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Having someone to discuss work-related topics to, someone who has so much information about work environments and can provide insights into sectors.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

University is fundamentally about getting qualifications to get a job afterwards – so be prepared and get an insight into a sector whilst at university, there is nothing to lose!

Thomas, Financial Markets and the City

economics, Financial Markets and the City, , , ,

Thomas, a Economics student, was interested in a career in investment banking or finance after undertaking work experience over the summer. Thomas applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain contacts in the industry, advice regarding what it takes to be successful in the city and help understanding the different paths within the industry. Through the scheme, Thomas was matched with an Investment Director for Lonsdale Capital Partners LLP. This roles involved originating, assessing and executing investments and management of portfolios. This mentor is also an ACA qualified accountant.

“My mentor has offered me a week of work experience over the summer with his private equity firm”

Thomas achieved all of his objectives including assistance in developing a career plan, increased his knowledge of sector entry requirements and increased his knowledge of finding internships and work experience in the sector.

Thomas talked about his experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

It has been extremely helpful to discuss interviews and assessment centres with my mentor, helping me to feel more confident before attending.

In addition to this my mentor has offered me a week of work experience over the summer with his private equity firm, which should prove an invaluable experience.

Hannah, Financial Markets and the City

Financial Markets and the City, Geography, Politics and International Relations, , , , ,

Hannah, a Politics with Geography student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain advice and learn about good and bad experiences in order to help her make an informed decision about a future career in the Finance sector. Through the scheme, Hannah was matched with the Executive Director for MSCI Inc. His role involves looking after the pension funds and insurers for German-speaking Europe, and he has past experience in credit, performance measurements for investment portfolios and sales of asset management.

“An excellent opportunity”

Hannah achieved all of her objectives including increased knowledge of effective application forms and interview techniques in this sector, and improved personal development skills.

Hannah talked about her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Having someone there to check over my application answers and help with interviews

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Talking to a professional who is not related to me, as David had an unbiased opinion which was useful.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

An excellent opportunity to meet someone new and have a guide who can help during this uncertain time (in final year) when we need to decide what to do next.

Jordan, Financial Markets and the City

economics, Financial Markets and the City, , , , ,

Jordan, an Economics and Finance student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to receive advice and guidance from somebody who understands his position and can advise of where best to target his career efforts. Through the scheme, Jordan was matched with an Investment Director for Lonsdale Capital Partners LLP. This role involves originating, assessing and executing investments and management of portfolios. This mentor is also an ACA qualified accountant.

“It is good to know that my career journey has been helped by having a mentor”

Jordan achieved all of his objectives including widened contacts and networking opportunities, received work experience and job shadowing therefore greatly increasing his knowledge of effective interview techniques in this sector.

Jordan shared his experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

I can see how my path, over the last year, has been positively influenced by having Mr. Knott as a mentor. It is good to know that my career journey has been helped by having a mentor, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insights into the mentalities/personalities of people working in banks, hedge funds and private equity. Coming from a daunting outsider’s perspective, it was helpful to realise that the people working in these roles are human too.

Chris, Financial Markets and the City

economics, Financial Markets and the City, , ,

Economics student Chris had a passion for the Financial Markets and the City and wanted to pursue this career path. He was accepted onto the Career Mentor Scheme and was matched with an Investment Manager at Risk Capital Partners LLP.

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Chris had some amazing feedback to give about the way the Career Mentor Scheme helped his career development.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Being able to gain a thorough insight into the area of finance that my mentor works in. It is very difficult to get first-hand experience through the internet, so having a contact within the industry was an invaluable opportunity. My mentor helped me with techniques and gave me fantastic advice for EY’s internship scheme and assisted me throughout the process.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Discussion about work experience are ongoing, but the insight that I have gained about the daily work life that my mentor participates in gave me a fantastic ground to base my future career decisions upon.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Participating in the Career Mentor Scheme is one of the most rewarding opportunities you will get in your time at Exeter. If you have any questions or concerns about a specific career path, a mentor can provide you with real-life experience and help guide you through these doubts, ensuring that you make the most informed decision about your post-graduation choices. If you are applying for internships or industrial placements, mentors are experienced professionals who often employ workers, so there is no one better to help support you and provide you with advice on how to succeed in your applications. There is absolutely nothing to lose by partaking in the programme and it will help you on your first step in the career ladder.

Sam, Financial Markets and the City

Business and Management, Financial Markets and the City, , , , ,

Whilst in his second year Business and Management student Sam applied to the Career Mentor Scheme and was successfully matched with the Executive Director – Dept Investment Europe at IFM.

Having graduated from Exeter, this mentor then pursued a career in the Financial Markets and the City. He was a graduate trainee and a Manager at RBS and also Head of Infrastructure and Project Finance at Barclays Corporate.

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Sam’s experience of the mentoring partnership was great. Here are some of the details he shared with us:

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

It was great to meet with my mentor at his office and hear about his experiences in the industry. My mentor put me in touch with a wide variety of senior people from within the industry who I was able to meet with or speak to on the phone. It was great to receive advice when I was making a decision about which internship I wanted to do.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Networking opportunities – Extremely useful to be able to connect with senior figures in the industry.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

It is a brilliant opportunity to find out more about a career that you are interested in. The opportunities that come with this scheme can really enhance your career prospects.