Fidelity Women in Investment Spring Week Review

It was a very enjoyable time. The company put a lot of effort and money in making our experience as good as possible. Many high rank speaker gave presentations and encouraged us to join the company. Everyday we were provided with breakfasts, lunches and dinners. The HR managers organised games: stock pitch and marketing campaign, in which we could win vouchers. There were also trips around London, and drinks on Fidelity!

I definitely felt valued. The speakers were answering our questions in detail. They were not in hurry, but eager to listen to us. Everyone was also very friendly, and I could feel genuine encouragement from their side to join the company and follow their career paths. I also spoke to many recent graduates, which even enhanced my experience

I got sufficient guidance. Before I arrived to Fidelity I expected that we will be guided as if it was a school trip, but we were treated more like adults. For example, I was only given the address of my apartment, and I was supposed to find it on my own. However, I got all necessary directions etc. in the e-mail from the HR.

It will definitely be useful. I learnt a lot about stock-picking under the pressure of time, and I think I will apply this skill at the Investment Society at my university. I also was given a sample template of the Fidelity's financial model, which will be useful to analyse, draw conclusion and use as a benchmark for my own investment decisions.

It was surprisingly well-structured. Everything was logically planned and we were working according to the schedule. There was time for presentations, games, trips around London (free ticket for London Eye!) as well as breaks for lunches and networking, and even drinks! There were no logistical problems and everyone got the same opportunities as well. All worked pretty well.

I found the atmosphere very welcoming. At first it might have been slightly competitive, especially when the time for questions came. Everyone wanted to ask the speaker a questions. In my opinion it was just for the sake of asking. But in a days or two, this has changed. Having said that, I must underline that all the time the atmosphere was pretty friendly and everyone was kind.

I learnt many transferable skills. The company invited many high rank speakers to come to our conference room and give a presentation. Their time is certainly very precious, but despite that, they prepared well-structured and informative presentations. I had many opportunities to work in a team as well as networking opportunities.

Managers of all the Fidelity's divisions came to us to give a presentation about their area. The presentations were very informative, we also had opportunity to ask questions. Moreover, in the last day we had an opportunity to shadow an expert from the area we have chosen. Unfortunately the choice was only from 3 investment areas: equities, fixed income and solutions, so some people who were interested in IT or Business did not shadow their chosen area.

I learnt a lot about the company culture. It is very visible, in every speaker/employee, that everyone shares the same values. Clients are most important for Fidelity and this respect for clients is genuine, As for privately owned, independent company, investment is its only business. Hence, they are driven by the needs of their clients, not by shareholders.

Fortunately, I already knew my future career path (or at least I already had plans). However, the presentations strengthened my conviction and encouraged me even more. I became more determined to succeed and join Fidelity next year. Having said that, I am sure that some people, who were not decided, they got a better idea about the opportunities within Fidelity.

I was paid for all the expenses I incurred. I was reimbursed my travel expenses from Canterbury to London, I was also provided with a luxurious (as for a student!) apartment in the city centre, very close to the Fidelity. I even did not have to pay for food, as everything was provided. I also know that people who flew from overseas had their travel expenses reimbursed, so Fidelity is definitely generous and fair.

Yes. A lot! Everyday at least a few speakers were giving presentation. We had a chance to ask question. But there were also a few events dedicated specifically for networking, for example an in-house dinner and drinks a a nearby bar. I met many people who manage their areas, which I found very exciting. Fidelity also provided us with tea, coffee, fruits and cookies to foster the networking.

We had a few very good opportunities to get to know each other. The first one was drinks at the nearby pub. All the drinks were on Fidelity. We could unwind, talk to each other, get to know each others' interests. This helped us to work in groups next days. We also had a trip to London Eye, which was lots of fun. We took many photos and the atmosphere became really friendly.

Some people were asking this questions. I learnt that there are a few "societies" at Fidelity, but the speaker did not have a clear idea of it. Myself, I was not very interested in it, so I did not ask. I only learnt that there is no in-house gym, but there are many outside Fidelity in a close proximity .

Of course I would! It was an amazing opportunity to meet many people, network, develop my skills, knowledge, as well as get convinced about my career path choice. This was all accompanied by excellent food, modern accommodation and lots of fun such as London Eye and free drinks in a pub.