Internship in investment banking

Sreenivas wrote:

Hi, I would appreciate a little advice on future prospects....

I am 33 and until recently was working as a chef. I gave it up to join a big 4 firm and am training for an ACA. To date I have had first time passes in my exams and will have completed professional stage in July next year (i.e. 2009). I was wondering if I would have some advantage in applying for an internship to investment banks as it is a career that I have always wanted and I believe that an internship will enable me to understand if I am capable of doing the job. Would very much appreciate your help in this regard.

Thanks


A consultant in WH Marks Sattin's Banking Division replied

An internship in an investment bank is a great way to demonstrate interest in the sector and for you to learn more about the actual job you’d be doing on a day to day basis. Also, many people who do internships are offered permanent roles afterwards. However, a job offer is certainly not guaranteed and you shouldn’t compromise your ACA for an internship. I’d recommend not giving up on your ACA as you’ve already had one career change and it will reflect poorly if you don’t complete it. Once you are fully qualified, you can look into summer internship programs for the investment banks as a means to moving into the sector. An alternative now would be to cover FS clients in your practice experience (if you're not already) - making the move internally onto this sector will equally demonstrate interest to potential employers.

All the best

WH Marks Sattin


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