Work Experience For A Level Students?

OP

Original post by Swayum

Really difficult to get IB work experience pre-university. Look at the J.P. Morgan Schools Programme (only for girls now probably) and Windsor Fellowship programmes (only for ethnic minorities from state schools probably).

If I could go back in time, I wouldn't waste it by trying to get IB work experience. Try to get any other kind of work experience instead (e.g. at an accountancy firm your dad's friend works at or whatever, high street retail shop, etc) - it helps land you interviews in your 1st year at university. Very difficult to break into IB otherwise even at university.

Ah right, thanks for the response.
What do you mean by doing other types of work experience will help me land interviews during my 1st year? Does any sort of experience deserve credit?

Reply 3

Banker91

Original post by Alimbo95

Ah right, thanks for the response.
What do you mean by doing other types of work experience will help me land interviews during my 1st year? Does any sort of experience deserve credit?

id say so yes. when you get to uni apply for spring weeks as soon as. you are in a really good position knowing what you want to do. research like crazy from now until uni learn everything you can about ib, what position your interested in, improve technical knowledge i.e. what is spread betting what is arbitrage what do traders do stuff like that. get general work experience i know accountancy firms do insight days for a level students go to them. any finance experience is good. then when your at uni focus on ib experience.

Reply 4

Swayum

18

Original post by Alimbo95

Ah right, thanks for the response.
What do you mean by doing other types of work experience will help me land interviews during my 1st year? Does any sort of experience deserve credit?

Yes, any work experience is good work experience both before and during university.

Reply 5

OP

Original post by Banker91

id say so yes. when you get to uni apply for spring weeks as soon as. you are in a really good position knowing what you want to do. research like crazy from now until uni learn everything you can about ib, what position your interested in, improve technical knowledge i.e. what is spread betting what is arbitrage what do traders do stuff like that. get general work experience i know accountancy firms do insight days for a level students go to them. any finance experience is good. then when your at uni focus on ib experience.

Cheers for the advice, I'll bear that in mind.

Yeah, my technical knowledge needs improving haha!

Ok, I think I'll email a few local accountants and stuff then. I think I'm going to have to double check my family connections with financial people too.

Reply 6

OP

Original post by Swayum

Yes, any work experience is good work experience both before and during university.

I think I'm definitely going to apply to a few local financial firms for experience.

Reply 7

LiamSP

Why poltics if you want to be an IB?

Reply 8

OP

Original post by LiamSP

Why poltics if you want to be an IB?

A couple of reasons really. I didn't pick maths a level, so I can't really pick a finance related degree, especially one at a targeted university. Also, I do love politics and it does hold some relevance to finance and economics, so why not?

I reckon that as long as I get the degree from a good uni, like LSE, Warwick, UCL, Oxbridge etc, I will stand a fairly good chance.

Reply 9

non

Original post by Alimbo95

A couple of reasons really. I didn't pick maths a level, so I can't really pick a finance related degree, especially one at a targeted university. Also, I do love politics and it does hold some relevance to finance and economics, so why not?

I reckon that as long as I get the degree from a good uni, like LSE, Warwick, UCL, Oxbridge etc, I will stand a fairly good chance.

What are your gcse results? And what subjects are you taking for a level

Reply 10

OP

Original post by Jed123

What are your gcse results? And what subjects are you taking for a level

I got 5 A*s, 5 As and 2 Bs - with A* in Maths and a B in English Language.

For a levels, I'm taking Geography, Biology, Govt. & Politics, Classical Civilisation [+ General Studies]. Quite a mix, I know, but it's a combination of the subjects I like.

Reply 11

LiamSP

From my understanding, maths is integral in IB, politics may not cut it

Reply 12

OP

Original post by LiamSP

From my understanding, maths is integral in IB, politics may not cut it

Depends really where I want to work within investment banking. Some areas need more maths than others. And it's not like I'm bad at maths, I got an A* at GCSE, so when it comes to those entrance test for certain firms, my numeracy skills won't be terrible.

Reply 13

LiamSP

A* at gcse really doesn't show that much of an aptitude at maths. But hey, you seem of done your research so who am I to say your wrong, out of interest, which areas of IB are you interested in?

Reply 14

OP

Original post by LiamSP

A* at gcse really doesn't show that much of an aptitude at maths. But hey, you seem of done your research so who am I to say your wrong, out of interest, which areas of IB are you interested in?

No I know, but I haven't got maths at AS or A2 so I haven't really got anything else to demonstrate my mathematical ability.

Um not thought about that too much, but I'd love to be doing sales and trading or maybe mergers & acquisitions.

Reply 15

jamz0770

Maths isn't that important, unless you want a quant role or to trade exotic products etc. Aside from that as long as you can do the online numeracy tests which you certainly don't need A level or above for then you are fine.

Reply 16

OP

Original post by jamz0770

Maths isn't that important, unless you want a quant role or to trade exotic products etc. Aside from that as long as you can do the online numeracy tests which you certainly don't need A level or above for then you are fine.

Yeah, so do you think all trading roles will want me to have Maths at A level standard?

Reply 17

jamz0770

Original post by Alimbo95

Yeah, so do you think all trading roles will want me to have Maths at A level standard?

Nope, As far as I'm aware for most trading roles they will just want you to have good mental maths and be quick with numbers but as far as I'm aware all that trigonometry I learnt in A-level is pretty irrelevant in trading.

As I said for more exotic products not having maths is probably a disadvantage but is it essential to have A-level maths to be a trader? No.

Reply 18

OP

Original post by jamz0770

Nope, As far as I'm aware for most trading roles they will just want you to have good mental maths and be quick with numbers but as far as I'm aware all that trigonometry I learnt in A-level is pretty irrelevant in trading.

As I said for more exotic products not having maths is probably a disadvantage but is it essential to have A-level maths to be a trader? No.

Ah okay, thanks.
Out of curiosity, are you at in trading?

Reply 19

jamz0770