Category Archives: economics

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.

Matthew, Banking and Financial Services

Banking and Financial Services, economics

Matthew, Economics student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain a better understanding of the financial sector in order to learn about the specific professions that he may wish to pursue. Through the scheme, Matthew was matched with an Economics graduate from the University of Exeter who is now the Assistant Vice President at Barclays Wealth, having been with the firm for 10 years.

“Extremely valuable in helping you achieve your goals”

Matthew tells us more about his experience below:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

Learning about my mentor’s business and past career, and different models for approaching Insight into the financial world. I was able to gain a greater understanding of the system and how I can utilise my skills to find the job right for me.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Networking opportunities and personal development.

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

This is such a useful way to get an insight into your desired career. Your mentor’s knowledge will be extremely valuable in helping you achieve your goals and ultimately they were in the same shoes as you at some stage. They can draw on these experiences to give you the best opportunity to kick start your career!

Lauren, Management and Consultancy

Accounting and Finance, economics, Management and Consultancy

Lauren, Economics and Finance student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain knowledge and advice about both specific sectors and working life in general. Through the scheme, Lauren was matched with a History graduate from the University of Exeter who is now a Director at MJCL Consultancy Ltd with experience as a CFO and COO.

Lauren tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Lauren achieved all of her objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of finding internships and work experience in this sector
  • Improved knowledge of further education and professional courses related to this sector
  • Widened contacts and networking opportunities

What were your highlights of the scheme?

  • Meeting my career mentor
  • Adding to my network of professionals and meeting with a colleague to discuss career options in para planning
  • Reviewing CV advice
  • Gaining an offer work for experience next summer

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

All round provided very useful advice and guidance to a range of career related questions and problems.

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

Definitely do it – especially first head/anyone who is in the early stages of their career development.

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.

Chloe, Accounting and Auditing

Accounting and Auditing, economics

Chloe, Economics with Econometrics student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to improve her application forms, receive advice with online testing and gain a better understanding of the accounting and audit industry. Through the scheme, Chloe was matched with the International Accounting and Audit Director at Crowe Horwath International. This mentor is an Executive Director, responsible for global audit leadership of an international network of accounting firms.

“I would highly recommend the Career Mentor Scheme to anyone who is looking to improve their employability.”

Chloe achieved all of her objectives including a personal objective: “I really wanted to explore the different roles within audit and accounting. My mentor really helped me do this and also provided really good advice regarding what employers look for in potential candidates. I also wanted to improve my CV and LinkedIn profile.”

Chloe told us more about her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

The best part of this scheme was the regular contact I had with my mentor. We arranged monthly Skype calls and I felt really comfortable talking to him. We arranged our meetings so that I had objectives to complete between each session and that I could update my mentor about my progress. We always had things to discuss.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The insight into accounting/audit was really useful. I was applying to industrial placements whilst on the scheme and so having my mentor’s help during the application form process meant that I was able to improve my applications.

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

My mentor helped me to explore future career options, improve my CV and understand what employers are looking for in candidates. I would highly recommend the Career Mentor Scheme to anyone who is looking to improve their employability.

Oliver, Management and Consultancy

Business and Management, economics, Management and Consultancy, , , , , ,

Oliver, Business Economics student, was in the process of applying to graduate roles in trading but was unsure about exploring other areas such as Private Equity aswell. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Oliver was matched with a Economics and Political Development alumnus who is now a Consultant for Chestnut Advisory Group in the USA. His previous experience includes roles at Knight Capital, UBS London and New York and Citibank London and New York.

“His advice was useful and no doubt helped me get the job .”

Oliver achieved all of his objectives including securing a exciting graduate job while also improving his personal development skills and increasing his knowledge of effective interview techniques in the finance and consultancy sector.

Oliver provided some insight in his experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

He went to the same school as me (as well as Exeter) so we had a lot to relate too.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

He gave broad recommendations and had knowledge outside the area of expertise which proved really helpful.

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

Give it a go, gaining a perspective on your career from someone with years of industry knowledge is invaluable. I ended up getting a job in something unrelated to my mentor’s career but his advice was still useful and no doubt helped me get the job (at Amazon).

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.

Gracie, Human Resources, Recruitment and Training

Business and Management, economics, Human Resources Recruitment and Training, , , , ,

Gracie, a Business Economics student, was interested in a variety of careers in the commercial sector and wanted to use the Career Mentor Scheme to help make a decision about her future career choice. Through the scheme, Gracie was matched with a HR Consultant for Aible with qualifications including BA Geography, MSc Human Resource Management and a Certificate in Business Strategy. Her role includes providing outsourced HR support to businesses.

“Do not be afraid to ask them anything.”

Gracie achieved all of her objectives including receiving academic help, received help to improve her CV and widening her professional network within the sector.

Gracie shared her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Speaking to a professional in an industry I am interested in, understanding what my mentor perceives to be the good and bad aspects of their job. Also hearing about how they came into the position they are currently in, and realising their career path did not progress perfectly.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Extremely helpful in the application and interview stages for my industrial placement.

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

Make the most of the opportunity and do not be afraid to ask them anything.

Maddalena, Economics and Statistics

economics, Information Technology, ,

 

Maddalena, an Economics student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learning more about working as an Economic Analyst for development agencies or financial institutions. Through the scheme, Maddalena was matched with an MA and BA Economics alumnus, work as an Administrator for Région Haute Normandie. His previous job roles include an Economist for the National Assembly for Wales, and Administrator for the European Parliament and an Economist for the Office for National Statistics.

Maddalena achieved all of her objectives including receiving an offer for her first choice of summer placement, widening her contacts and networking opportunities and increased her knowledge of sector entry requirements.

Maddalena provided some insight into her experience of the scheme:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

The continuous support, not only with respect to my academic and professional choices but also with respect to deciding the objectives on which to focus every day

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Insights into my chosen profession
  • Support in the application process

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

Be honest with yourself and with the career mentor as to where you feel you are at the moment, whether you already know what you want or you are very confused about your future.

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.