[HalOr97]

Hi,

To be honest, I am not sure if a post like or similar to this has already been made but I need help. I am currently in year 10 and we have recently been asked to either arrange our work experience or do it through the school. I checked out what the school had to offer.....It was appalling. I am very ambitious and money driven and have always craved a career in finance/banking particularly Investment banking. I do not however want to do it for a strictly investment oriented bank but instead a bank that covers retail, corporate, investment etc. Obviously I researched each bank and feel best suited to HSBC. By the time I do my work experience I will actually be in Year 11.

I fear that a job even if it is making tea, photocopying etc. will be hard to get in the canary wharf branch. I am not going to lie. I am pretentious, I want to do it in London for the glamour. Unfortunatley my father does not know anyone in Banking but only Insurance so that idea is gone. In short will I be allowed?

Any advice or knowledge on the above would be highly appreciated

cheers,

[enigma1122]

i know someone who works there, ill ask about what they know about work experience and let you know

[HalOr97]

Thanks ever so much. Very highly appreciated

[goape]

Definitely don't restrict yourself to one bank, or even to banks in general, at your stage any experience in the financial industry will be useful. Good on you for wanting for go beyond the **** work experience placements normally offered / taken up by students though.

[girlbanker]

I worked at HSBC for 5 years so I know how it works.

To get a high school work placement you just need someone who works there to organize a placement for you. That person organizes which desks you will work on and all the people you will meet.

You get paid only for your expenses unless you are on a proper graduate scheme. Their graduate schemes are only available at the university level.

People on work placement don't get a salary because they don't really work, they just get to spend time with people and learn about what they do.

Does that help?

Good luck,
Girl Banker

[HalOr97]

Thanks girlbanker to be honest the price of commute and getting paid for the work doesn't really bother me. The main worry is whether or not I will be allowed to work in the head office.

[Alimbo95]

(Original post by HalOr97)
Hi,

To be honest, I am not sure if a post like or similar to this has already been made but I need help. I am currently in year 10 and we have recently been asked to either arrange our work experience or do it through the school. I checked out what the school had to offer.....It was appalling. I am very ambitious and money driven and have always craved a career in finance/banking particularly Investment banking. I do not however want to do it for a strictly investment oriented bank but instead a bank that covers retail, corporate, investment etc. Obviously I researched each bank and feel best suited to HSBC. By the time I do my work experience I will actually be in Year 11.

I fear that a job even if it is making tea, photocopying etc. will be hard to get in the canary wharf branch. I am not going to lie. I am pretentious, I want to do it in London for the glamour. Unfortunatley my father does not know anyone in Banking but only Insurance so that idea is gone. In short will I be allowed?

Any advice or knowledge on the above would be highly appreciated

cheers,

Hi,

I would definitely say to just try your best. If it helps, I recently heard about HSBC (Canary Wharf) offering work experience but in their legal department. So, I don't know if that interests you but any sort of experience would do you well.

Certainly, if you don't manage to get any banking experience, get the placement your dad can offer in Insurance purely because it is quite relevant to what you want to do (i.e. financial industry) and it will show your future potential employers you were keen at a young age.

[girlbanker]

(Original post by HalOr97)
Thanks girlbanker to be honest the price of commute and getting paid for the work doesn't really bother me. The main worry is whether or not I will be allowed to work in the head office.

Sorry for the late response. HSBC only has investment banking functions in the head office; the branches are mainly for commercial and retail banking so if you were doing something iBanking related you would definitely be in the Head Office.

I hope you get in!

Good luck,
Girl Banker

[HalOr97]

I got in contact with HSBC's HR department and they said that I am unable to go to the Canada square office due to security issues, I can however try to enter the office by e-mailing topjobs@hsbc.co.uk but I may not bother I am also going to get into contact with Barclays and Lloyds and see what I can do

[JamesGaltier]

Hello! Unfortuantely the HR response is inadequate and the answers previously provided are incorrect. The main office in Canary Wharf deals with all primary coporate and commercial functions, thus, they are unwilling to let a 15 - 16 year old loose on the premises!

I have secured a work experience placement with HSBC for the summer and I can tell you it was no easy feat. 1000 applicants and only 15 jobs and I am a Second Year Law student at University.

Your best bet is to look for experience in local firms/banks ect.

Best of Luck

James

[H.JJJ]

Perhaps you can get your school to contact the HR dept directly (after you provide them with a number)? It might carry some more weighting if an educational institution was asking for a placement for one of their students rather than a year 10 student asking HR himself.

I'm not going to lie, the year 10/11 work experience is a pile of ****. 2 weeks in an organisation isn't great.

I think some banks to some programmes for those in year 10/11 (or maybe college). Research into that if you haven't already done so.

[YaYazooGirl]

I know how you feel OP, I want to do work experience in Morgan Stanley, and I know some people there because we had a workshop to do with CVs and work. I really need some advice as to what I should do when I see them again. Should I ask them if I can shadow them? Thanks in advance!


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[Mickk]

I don't entirely agree with previous answers.

Starting this year HSBC now offer structured work experience and apprenticeships (i.e not making tea). I've not long finished one myself, contrary to popular belief you will not be serving customers at a desk all day - even if its in a branch !

If you pick a larger branch you would be exposed to Business, Private Wealth Management, Mortgages and personal banking.
Investment banking is a different matter, You would probably looking to get into either the global markets or commercial division as they are the most closely linked. But just keep in mind these schemes are very competitive, even for a placement in a branch there is well over 15 applicants per place.

Mick