What is the most valuable lesson you learnt on your placement / internship?
The main thing I learned on my internship was to really listen to feedback. Your line managers and other people you meet during your internship will have met many interns and probably have a better idea of what kind of role you are suited for. UBS are great at placing interns where they think they will really flourish, so really be yourself and be honest about what your strengths and weaknesses are.
What made you apply to UBS?
I applied to UBS because of their Horizons programme, which I found to be completely unique in the industry. The programme included the Easter Insights week, a Raleigh International expedition to Costa Rica, Borneo or Tanzania, a guaranteed summer internship a year earlier than my peers and a senior mentor in the bank. I was lucky enough to have multiple internship offers from banks and went with UBS because of the great vibe I got during the interview process.
What did you enjoy most about your placement / internship?
I really liked the fact that everyone was willing to invest time teaching interns and I was allowed to get involved in a lot of the daily tasks (where appropriate). You really feel like part of the team. The evening events and training sessions organised by HR were also a lot of fun and showed that there is a lot more to work life than your desk job. You can get involved with volunteering and lots of other societies.
What advice would you give to someone planning their placement / internship?
I think it’s very hard to know what to expect before doing a full internship. No matter how much research you do beforehand, the best thing is to be as open minded as possible about learning about different areas. No one will expect you to be an expert in anything so really show your enthusiasm and hunger for learning – and remember that the process is just as much about learning what is right for you as an individual.
Describe a normal day in the office
The great thing about my role is that there isn’t a ‘normal’ day in the office. Each day will have its own surprises and challenges which is what makes the work interesting and mentally stimulating. In Prime Brokerage we work primarily with Hedge Funds which are by nature dynamic and innovative. This keeps me on my toes, and the fact that we are cross-asset means there is always something new to learn.
