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Dani_Garcia · 10-31-2007, 01:39 PM

I used to have very good academics and went to a top University but since entering the working world with a botched 2.2 degree (in Modern Languages), it's been a rocky road. I wasted away in sales/business development for 3 years, gave that up only to spend six months thinking (falsely) that I wanted to become an accountant and I didn't get a training contract. I recently worked in an administrative role for a FTSE 100 company. I?m now looking for a career in the city, but not in investment banking or insurance. *Should I look for an internship now or do a 1-year Master?s programme combined with an internship at the end?* I don?t feel like I would make the grade yet as an MBA student so how about a Master?s In European Business starting in January? Could it get me back on track? Or could I fit directly into the world of commodity trading somehow? Private banking? Some sort of client management role? I?m articulate, good with clients and numbers and prepared to work hard. Thanks

einstein · 10-31-2007, 01:39 PM

A career in finance in the City excluding investment banking and insurance is a bit like trying to play football without a ball. I understand your point about trading or private banking, but bear in mind that 90% of trading and 99% of private banking is actually done by investment banks themselves, so I would not exclude them at all as potential employers.

Surely your experience is not that relevant for the sector, but you could probably get in in a private banking role or a broker role into a small brokerage firm where previous work experience and education are not that important. Bear in mind that any client management role (or indeed any role that includes contact with clients) needs you to have some sort of product knowledge which you can only get on the job, so you would start at a very junior level and directly competing with graduates 6-7 years younger than you.

The idea of the internship is very good, but I would refrain from spending any more time in further qualifications as nothing can substitute actual work experience. So if you are really serious about working in the city, do not exclude investment banks and insurance and start sending your CV out to perspective employers and for different role and gauge the feedback you receive from them. There are also a lot of very professional recruiters in the city who can give you a very direct and honest answer to your question. Good luck!

forex101 · 10-31-2007, 01:39 PM

With an ever expanding EU, your language skills could be your best asset. Companies need people who can communicate with clients abroad. Make that your niche pitch when looking for jobs.

The company can train you in it's policies and procedures; what it can't train you in is being fluent in the language of the client.

10-31-2007, 01:39 PM	#1
Dani_Garcia Greenhorn Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 21 Rep Power: 6	How does a 28-year-old with a mixed record & a 2.2 break into the financial sector?(no get-rich-quick schemes) I used to have very good academics and went to a top University but since entering the working world with a botched 2.2 degree (in Modern Languages), it's been a rocky road.<br />I wasted away in sales/business development for 3 years, gave that up only to spend six months thinking (falsely) that I wanted to become an accountant and I didn't get a training contract. I recently worked in an administrative role for a FTSE 100 company. <br />I?m now looking for a career in the city, but not in investment banking or insurance.<br />Should I look for an internship now or do a 1-year Master?s programme combined with an internship at the end?<br />I don?t feel like I would make the grade yet as an MBA student so how about a Master?s In European Business starting in January? Could it get me back on track? Or could I fit directly into the world of commodity trading somehow? Private banking? Some sort of client management role? I?m articulate, good with clients and numbers and prepared to work hard.<br />Thanks<br />

10-31-2007, 01:39 PM	#2
einstein Greenhorn Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	How does a 28-year-old with a mixed record & a 2.2 break into the financial sector?(no get-rich-quick schemes) A career in finance in the City excluding investment banking and insurance is a bit like trying to play football without a ball. I understand your point about trading or private banking, but bear in mind that 90% of trading and 99% of private banking is actually done by investment banks themselves, so I would not exclude them at all as potential employers. Surely your experience is not that relevant for the sector, but you could probably get in in a private banking role or a broker role into a small brokerage firm where previous work experience and education are not that important. Bear in mind that any client management role (or indeed any role that includes contact with clients) needs you to have some sort of product knowledge which you can only get on the job, so you would start at a very junior level and directly competing with graduates 6-7 years younger than you. The idea of the internship is very good, but I would refrain from spending any more time in further qualifications as nothing can substitute actual work experience. So if you are really serious about working in the city, do not exclude investment banks and insurance and start sending your CV out to perspective employers and for different role and gauge the feedback you receive from them. There are also a lot of very professional recruiters in the city who can give you a very direct and honest answer to your question. Good luck!

10-31-2007, 01:39 PM	#3
forex101 Greenhorn Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 36 Rep Power: 6	How does a 28-year-old with a mixed record & a 2.2 break into the financial sector?(no get-rich-quick schemes) With an ever expanding EU, your language skills could be your best asset. Companies need people who can communicate with clients abroad. Make that your niche pitch when looking for jobs. The company can train you in it's policies and procedures; what it can't train you in is being fluent in the language of the client.

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