[InternshipPlease]

Hey guys,

Was wondering if you could help me out.

I am about to go into my third year, studying Economics. I managed to secure a first for second year so will be applying for an Msc Finance at LSE/Warwick/Imperial and Econ at Oxbridge.

I applied to absolutely everywhere for an internship in trading this summer but didn't even get an interview. However, in my gap year I interned for 7 months at one of the 'Big 4' and have a scholarship with them, which includes returning each year for 4 weeks.

As I do not have any relevant work experience in trading I have assumed I need to apply for a summer internship and work my ass off to convert (so long as headcount allows me). In a perfect world, I would not actually do an Msc as I want to get working again. Would I be best applying for summer internships for firms that allow you to intern after third year and for summer internships at firms that would require me to do a Msc OR to apply for off-cycles and grad roles?

Would really appreciate any advice guys.

IP

[cruel3a]

I would advice you not to apply for grad roles in trading without a relevant experience in that field. It is almost impossible to get in without, at least, an internship. I think you should apply for off cycle to all those banks that offer them cause it is easier to get in (in comparison with the summer) and to summer to all the others.

[OverGraduate]

(Original post by InternshipPlease)
Hey guys,

Was wondering if you could help me out.

I am about to go into my third year, studying Economics. I managed to secure a first for second year so will be applying for an Msc Finance at LSE/Warwick/Imperial and Econ at Oxbridge.

I applied to absolutely everywhere for an internship in trading this summer but didn't even get an interview. However, in my gap year I interned for 7 months at one of the 'Big 4' and have a scholarship with them, which includes returning each year for 4 weeks.

As I do not have any relevant work experience in trading I have assumed I need to apply for a summer internship and work my ass off to convert (so long as headcount allows me). In a perfect world, I would not actually do an Msc as I want to get working again. Would I be best applying for summer internships for firms that allow you to intern after third year and for summer internships at firms that would require me to do a Msc OR to apply for off-cycles and grad roles?

Would really appreciate any advice guys.

IP

Which university are you currently at? This might give an indication as to whether or not it is additionally beneficial to go ahead and get a masters, or instead wiser to approach the applications more meticulously.

[InternshipPlease]

(Original post by OverGraduate)
Which university are you currently at? This might give an indication as to whether or not it is additionally beneficial to go ahead and get a masters, or instead wiser to approach the applications more meticulously.

Hey mate,

I am at the University of Manchester so I would definitely benefit by going to any of the universities I listed above. I spoke to my course director today who said my grades would be strong enough to get into these universities, so I hope they are in reach.

My only qualm with off-cycle internships is that they are usually applied to by people studying masters from the continent, so whilst there are less applying I would actually be going against higher calibre students.

If I did go the Msc Finance route, would I apply for associate level for both internships and, subsequently, graduate positions? Some careers sites only mention MBA students whilst others mention Finance students as well.

Cheers for all the help guys.

IP

[OverGraduate]

(Original post by InternshipPlease)
Hey mate,

I am at the University of Manchester so I would definitely benefit by going to any of the universities I listed above. I spoke to my course director today who said my grades would be strong enough to get into these universities, so I hope they are in reach.

My only qualm with off-cycle internships is that they are usually applied to by people studying masters from the continent, so whilst there are less applying I would actually be going against higher calibre students.

If I did go the Msc Finance route, would I apply for associate level for both internships and, subsequently, graduate positions? Some careers sites only mention MBA students whilst others mention Finance students as well.

Cheers for all the help guys.

IP

Logic would suggest that an Msc would assist entrance into analyst positions.

Analyst to Associate - typically 2-3 years in job, whilst an Msc is a year long program and if the latter helped entrance to associate level positions everyone would go for them to save a couple years.

Being at the university of Manchester isn't at all bad - there's definitely people on this forum that have got FO internships/jobs from there, but as you say an Msc program at Oxbridge/LSE/Warwick etc will naturally increase your chances ten-fold.

Best bet would be apply for internships in the 2012 cycle, hopefully you get one and then go on to convert that into a full time job for 2013. If you fail to get a 2012 internship or fail to convert, then yes a masters would probably be the best way to go about increasing your chances.

[DeeDub]

(Original post by InternshipPlease)
Hey guys,

Was wondering if you could help me out.

I am about to go into my third year, studying Economics. I managed to secure a first for second year so will be applying for an Msc Finance at LSE/Warwick/Imperial and Econ at Oxbridge.

I applied to absolutely everywhere for an internship in trading this summer but didn't even get an interview. However, in my gap year I interned for 7 months at one of the 'Big 4' and have a scholarship with them, which includes returning each year for 4 weeks.

As I do not have any relevant work experience in trading I have assumed I need to apply for a summer internship and work my ass off to convert (so long as headcount allows me). In a perfect world, I would not actually do an Msc as I want to get working again. Would I be best applying for summer internships for firms that allow you to intern after third year and for summer internships at firms that would require me to do a Msc OR to apply for off-cycles and grad roles?

Would really appreciate any advice guys.

IP

What reason makes you think you didn't get an interview? It is certainly possible to go from Manchester to Trading. I would suggest that your application isn't academically flawed perhaps your ECs were lacking slightly and didn't give it that extra zing that someone from a non-target needs.

[InternshipPlease]

Thanks for the guys, some useful information.

DeeDub- I think you were right that it lacked that extra little bit of zing required from a non target university student. Over the year I've put in quite a bit of work to try bump it up including committee positions, sports, securities exams, insight day, spread betting on my own account and a diploma at Amplify Trading. Can't really think what else I can do? I think I am going to start going down to London for some events to show commitment and to potentially meet someone. Other than that I am pretty stumped!

People from Manchester do get FO roles and I have a few friends moving into them as graduates now so I know it can be done!

IP

[c0nfus3d]

(Original post by InternshipPlease)
Thanks for the guys, some useful information.

DeeDub- I think you were right that it lacked that extra little bit of zing required from a non target university student. Over the year I've put in quite a bit of work to try bump it up including committee positions, sports, securities exams, insight day, spread betting on my own account and a diploma at Amplify Trading. Can't really think what else I can do? I think I am going to start going down to London for some events to show commitment and to potentially meet someone. Other than that I am pretty stumped!

People from Manchester do get FO roles and I have a few friends moving into them as graduates now so I know it can be done!

IP

How did you get the Amplify Diploma?

[crazy_smurf]

(Original post by c0nfus3d)
How did you get the Amplify Diploma?

Monies

[InternshipPlease]

(Original post by c0nfus3d)
How did you get the Amplify Diploma?

Crazy_smurf was right

(Original post by crazy_smurf)
Monies

Maybe it's controversial but I wanted to put something down that showed I had some trading experience. In my eyes, the fact I worked and saved to invest in myself will hopefully show I really want to do this as a career. Gives a bit of substance to my argument.

[mouldy]

I will be applying to many of the large consultancies as well as people like the government economics service and the bank of england and see what i get! started my application to deliotte already, with many more forms to be filled in, in the near future!

[aeonflux]

Do people tend to put trading shares on a personal account on their CV's? Something like 'In the previous financial year gained experienced trading alternative investment market listed shares through a personal nominee account, achieving a total portfolio increase of 50%' ?

[goku90]

Can u apply to both off cycle internships and graduate positions??

[Zweihander]

Just found out PwC are only taking on 7 people for CorpFin next summer, and only in Project Finance.

[Inflation]

(Original post by Zweihander)
Just found out PwC are only taking on 7 people for CorpFin next summer, and only in Project Finance.

Pretty standard, they usually hire in-house (people who have completed their ACAs)

[painauchocolat]

Hey, I just graduated (2011) and I am taking a year off before starting an MSc Finance in September 2012. Am I able to apply to summer internships for summer 2012 or I am too old/advanced in my cursus (I will be only 21 when I will apply).

[pairstrading]

Industrious Orca the BoA links you posted the deadlines for those is December 2010. Doesnt look like this years campaign has begun yet unless they forgot to update the deadline!

[Donnie-Brasco]

Anyone knows which banks have already opened the grad/SA applications?

[Hampstead_K]

Barclays Capital & Lazard.

[Donnie-Brasco]

Goldman and UBS as well