Spring Insight Review

The program was extremely enjoyable on the whole, everyone within the insight class was friendly and outgoing, and the professionals were more than willing to invest their valuable time.

The company accommodated us very well, and organised activities with people from the full range of business areas.

Although the program began from the basics of investment banking, assuming no prior knowledge of the industry, I felt that we could have been better informed about the numerical test and assessment centre.

The nature of my degree means that some of the knowledge can be applied to future finance modules. This is in addition to the transferable skills that I developed through group challenges and presentation activities.

Extremely well structured in terms of the range of activities, which included stock pitches, work shadowing and trading floor tours. Plenty of breaks were also offered, and a social event was thrown in for good measure. However, the general consensus was that we received too many presentations and spent much of our time being talked at.

The program was not overly intensive, which allowed the group to become really close-knit. However, as expected, much of the talk turned towards the numerical test and assessment centre during the second half of the week.

In addition to the group activities, presentation and pitch, there was also a whole session dedicated to personal branding.

We were given some understanding by receiving half a day of work shadowing. But similar to most other spring weeks, we were given no responsibilities, and therefore it was difficult to envisage exactly what a full time role would entail.

We received a great deal of information about the new identity and strategy of UBS. From the short exposure to the working environment, the culture seemed distinctly different to other investment banks, the American ones in particular.

Although I am still unsure of pursuing a career in investment banking, the program really helped me to settle on research as my main area of interest.

I did not receive accommodation and was not reimbursed travel expenses due to living within the M25. However, the company did provide breakfast and lunch to everyone on each day.

Although the work shadowing was one-to-one, most of us were able to meet other employees within our respective teams and divisions. In terms of formal networking opportunities as part of the program, there was a networking lunch and speed networking session.

A social event consisting of bowling and drinks took place on the first evening. Most people on the insight week were willing to socialise on other nights as well.

The company provided a talk on the various voluntary schemes and employee organisations which exist at UBS. The person I was shadowing also talked about the events he is involved in outside of work.

I would particularly recommend this to someone unsure about investment banking, who wishes to gain a basic introduction to the industry. Nevertheless, it is still worthwhile for those who have already had some exposure within the field, due to the unique work shadowing available and the possibility of gaining a summer internship offer.