How to overcome a lack of relevent work experience?
I'm graduating in 2025. I took a gap year where I worked as a bartender. I've also worked in a warehouse. Obviously none of this is relevent to Finance.
As a result of having ADHD, I've come to learn that I must prioritise certain things, as putting too much on my plate will result in me dropping a few balls. I decided to focus on my degree and I'm doing alright - averaging around 67% at the end of my second year.
This leads to my main question - after having focused on my degree, once I graduate I will not have directly relevent work experience like spring weeks or summer internships. What should my first steps be as soon as I graduate? What's the next best opportunity to gain experience and get my foot in the door?
I'm considering roles as a financial analyst (broad sense) but I am also interested in roles in Corporate Development. What are some good things I could do to bolster my CV after obtaining my degree?
As a result of having ADHD, I've come to learn that I must prioritise certain things, as putting too much on my plate will result in me dropping a few balls. I decided to focus on my degree and I'm doing alright - averaging around 67% at the end of my second year.
This leads to my main question - after having focused on my degree, once I graduate I will not have directly relevent work experience like spring weeks or summer internships. What should my first steps be as soon as I graduate? What's the next best opportunity to gain experience and get my foot in the door?
I'm considering roles as a financial analyst (broad sense) but I am also interested in roles in Corporate Development. What are some good things I could do to bolster my CV after obtaining my degree?
(edited 9 months ago)
Reply 1
20
If you are graduating in 2025 have you applied for grad schemes yet?
Reply 2
7
There’s always transferable skills from each job that you can apply in a finance role, put your work experience into ChatGPT and ask it to pick these. It’ll be stuff like time management, working in a team etc and you can leverage these skills in your cv and in interview questions. They’ll be loads of other people in your boat too, rarely do people get internships so don’t worry.
Reply 3
16
Original post
by ajj2000If you are graduating in 2025 have you applied for grad schemes yet?
Sorry for the late response - I didn't have my notifications on apparently. I haven't applied for grad schemes because I'll actually be moving country pretty shortly after graduation (likely within 2/3 months of graduating). Admittedly, it has left me in a bit of a strange spot but not moving isn't an option for me!
Reply 4
20
Original post
by ColtTheWolfSorry for the late response - I didn't have my notifications on apparently. I haven't applied for grad schemes because I'll actually be moving country pretty shortly after graduation (likely within 2/3 months of graduating). Admittedly, it has left me in a bit of a strange spot but not moving isn't an option for me!
Ok - which country are you moving from, to which country and in which country are you taking a degree? The ways to apply for and get into jobs do vary between countries so its worth being sure you get specific advice for your circumstances.
Reply 5
16
Original post
by ajj2000Ok - which country are you moving from, to which country and in which country are you taking a degree? The ways to apply for and get into jobs do vary between countries so its worth being sure you get specific advice for your circumstances.
Moving from England to the USA. Currently taking the degree in England. It's pretty stressful, especially because the financial sector is not in a great place right now for fresh grads. I will have a green card so I won't need to worry about my immigration status affecting applications.
Reply 6
Original post
by ColtTheWolfSorry for the late response - I didn't have my notifications on apparently. I haven't applied for grad schemes because I'll actually be moving country pretty shortly after graduation (likely within 2/3 months of graduating). Admittedly, it has left me in a bit of a strange spot but not moving isn't an option for me!
Have you looked into off-cycle internships?
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Psychology work experience helppppppp
- Application Essays/Personal Statements
- Optometry interview
- Application advice - work experience and application deadline approaching for CELE
- UCAS personal statement Question 3
- uni imposter syndrome
- help with choosing work experience!
- Here's how I hope to make a difference with law
- Work experience for biomedical science or biotech
- Psychology Work experience
- Feedback for aqa alevel psychology practice question 🙏
- Mature student who is scared and unsure.....
- Apprenticeship and Open University
- UCAS work experience confusion
- PGCE 2025 applications
- Advice on learning evaluation/AO3 for AQA A-level psychology?
- can someone mark this a level business edexcel 12 marker plssss
- How much do grades matter for PhD applications
- Can I argue if I received rejection letter
- From engineering to finance?
Latest
Trending
Last reply 2 weeks ago
PWC Flying start accounting 2025Last reply 2 months ago
Wider reading for banking / accounting?Last reply 2 months ago
KPMG 2025/26 graduate applicationLast reply 2 months ago
HSBC Degree Apprenticeship (WPB) - Need Advice!Last reply 3 months ago
Morgan Stanley Step In, Step Up - Foundations In Finance 2025 Zoom InterviewLast reply 3 months ago
Goldman Sachs Women’s Academy- IB 2025Last reply 3 months ago
Can you go into investment banking with...Last reply 3 months ago
Accounting Student But 2 Years BehindLast reply 4 months ago
BSc Finance and Investment - KentLast reply 4 months ago
No response from National audit officeLast reply 4 months ago
Med to Investment Banking or high finance role
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
