19 April 2024 / Anthony Cheung
My name is Sanchia Sylvester and I am currently a final year student at Queen Mary University of London studying BSc Mathematics and Computer Science. I am due to join Morgan Stanley full-time in June as a Technology Analyst.
My name is Sanchia Sylvester and I am currently a final year student at Queen Mary University of London studying BSc Mathematics and Computer Science. I am due to join Morgan Stanley full-time in June as a Technology Analyst.
Both maths and computer science have always fascinated me with their complex problem-solving and analytical challenges. As I explored more, I discovered how finance relied heavily on these skills, especially in areas like quantitative analysis and algorithmic trading.
The idea of using mathematical models and computer algorithms to predict market movements and make informed decisions really drew me in. It felt like a perfect blend of my interests with a fastpaced, dynamic environment that promised constant learning and application of my skills.
Both maths and computer science have always fascinated me with their complex problemsolving and analytical challenges. As I explored more, I discovered how finance relied heavily on these skills, especially in areas like quantitative analysis and algorithmic trading.
The idea of using mathematical models and computer algorithms to predict market movements and make informed decisions really drew me in. It felt like a perfect blend of my interests with a fastpaced, dynamic environment that promised constant learning and application of my skills.
At Morgan Stanley, I was placed within the Trade Execution Europe team which sits within Securities Lending Technology.
My role involved processing, cleaning, manipulating and visualizing large amounts of financial data within securities lending to derive useful insights
intended to help the business make better decisions and ultimately make money, save money and reduce risk.
I had such a positive learning experience and learnt to think more creatively and tackle problems more strategically. I got along very well with my team and accumulated a lot of support from them throughout the entire experience.
I can certainly say that this experience has broadened my perspective on financial systems and the critical role technology plays in the world of investment banking.
At Morgan Stanley, I was placed within the Trade Execution Europe team which sits within Securities Lending Technology. My role involved processing, cleaning, manipulating and visualizing large amounts of financial data within securities lending to derive useful insights
intended to help the business make better decisions and ultimately make money, save money and reduce risk.
I had such a positive learning experience and learnt to think more creatively and tackle problems more strategically. I got along very well with my team and accumulated a lot of support from them throughout the entire experience. I can certainly say that this experience has
broadened my perspective on financial systems and the critical role technology plays in the world of investment banking.
I secured my summer internship through a spring week conversion, which ultimately led to a full-time job offer.
The application process was quite thorough and comprehensive. It started with an online submission where I detailed my qualifications through a carefully crafted resume and cover letter, and answered specific questions pertinent to the role. This stage was followed by psychometric tests that assessed my situational judgment, and verbal, logical, and numerical reasoning skills.
Next, I participated in a HireVue video interview to evaluate my fit with the company’s culture and the specific skills required for the job.
This was followed by a telephone interview that allowed me to further discuss my qualifications and demonstrate my enthusiasm for the position.
Following this, the assessment center involved behavioural interviews, case studies, and a technical design exercise, all designed to test a broad range of skills from interpersonal communication to technical expertise.
Post-spring week, my aptitude and fit were further tested through competency interviews and challenging coding tests covering computational theory, algorithm design, system development, and debugging.
Leading on from this, thanks to my strong performance during the summer internship I was extended an offer to return for the graduate programme.
I secured my summer internship through a spring week conversion, which ultimately led to a full-time job offer.
The application process was quite thorough and comprehensive. It started with an online submission where I detailed my qualifications through a carefully crafted resume and cover letter, and answered specific questions pertinent to the role. This stage was followed by psychometric tests that assessed my situational judgment, and verbal, logical, and numerical reasoning skills.
Next, I participated in a HireVue video interview to evaluate my fit with the company’s culture and the specific skills required for the job. This was followed by a telephone interview that allowed me to further discuss my qualifications and demonstrate my enthusiasm for the position.
Following this, the assessment center involved behavioural interviews, case studies, and a technical design exercise, all designed to test a broad range of skills from interpersonal communication to technical expertise.
Post-spring week, my aptitude and fit were further tested through competency interviews and challenging coding tests covering computational theory, algorithm design, system development, and debugging.
Leading on from this, thanks to my strong performance during the summer internship I was extended an offer to return for the graduate programme.
The programme significantly boosted my confidence and improved my financial literacy, which was crucial in enabling me to engage in intelligent conversations with colleagues and confidently share my insights and
opinions. This confidence and knowledge made me a more active and valuable participant during team meetings and projects.
Additionally, the training helped me grasp complex financial and business concepts more effectively, which directly improved my performance in my role. Understanding these concepts allowed me to tackle tasks more efficiently and bring a deeper level of analysis to my work, which did not go unnoticed by my supervisors.
The simulations provided by AmplifyME were particularly helpful; they deepened my understanding of the intricacies of trading and enhanced my ability to visualize and interpret data points. This skill was instrumental in my day-to-day responsibilities, especially when it came to analysing market trends and making informed decisions on how to best represent the financial data based on that analysis.
Without a doubt I can say that the AmplifyME programme equipped me with the tools to excel in my internship and made a significant impact on my professional development.
My experience with the AmplifyME Summer Training Programme was incredibly beneficial in enhancing my overall performance during my internship.
The programme significantly boosted my confidence and improved my financial literacy, which was crucial in enabling me to engage in intelligent conversations with colleagues and confidently share my insights and
opinions. This confidence and knowledge made me a more active and valuable participant during team meetings and projects.
Additionally, the training helped me grasp complex financial and business concepts more effectively, which directly improved my performance in my role. Understanding these concepts allowed me to tackle tasks more efficiently and bring a deeper level of analysis to my work, which did not go unnoticed by my supervisors.
The simulations provided by AmplifyME were particularly helpful; they deepened my understanding of the intricacies of trading and enhanced my ability to visualize and interpret data points. This skill was instrumental in my day-to-day responsibilities, especially when it came to analysing market trends and making informed decisions on how to best represent the financial data based on that analysis.
Without a doubt I can say that the AmplifyME programme equipped me with the tools to excel in my internship and made a significant impact on my professional development.
I've found the AmplifyME Market Maker podcast to be an invaluable resource, and I highly recommend it to any student interested in finance. By tuning in regularly, you'll gain a wealth of insights into different facets of financial markets, which not only enhances your understanding but also keeps you abreast of the latest industry trends.
Putting these insights into practice through simulations, class projects, or even personal investments using demo accounts can really solidify your grasp of the more complex concepts. Additionally, discussing the episodes with peers or mentors can spark deeper insights and refine your analytical skills.
The podcast is also an excellent starting point for diving deeper into topics that catch your interest, helping you to stay ahead in your academic journey. Moreover, it can be a fantastic tool for job interview preparation. Being able to discuss recent episodes or relevant issues can
really impress interviewers and demonstrate your proactive approach to staying informed.
I believe that engaging with the AmplifyME Market Maker podcast in these ways not only enriches your educational journey but also lays a solid foundation for a successful career in finance.
I've found the AmplifyME Market Maker podcast to be an invaluable resource, and I highly recommend it to any student interested in finance. By tuning in regularly, you'll gain a wealth of insights into different facets of financial markets, which not only enhances your understanding but also keeps you abreast of the latest industry trends.
Putting these insights into practice through simulations, class projects, or even personal investments using demo accounts can really solidify your grasp of the more complex concepts. Additionally, discussing the episodes with peers or mentors can spark deeper insights and refine your analytical skills.
The podcast is also an excellent starting point for diving deeper into topics that catch your interest, helping you to stay ahead in your academic journey. Moreover, it can be a fantastic tool for job interview preparation. Being able to discuss recent episodes or relevant issues can really impress interviewers and demonstrate your proactive approach to staying informed.
I believe that engaging with the AmplifyME Market Maker podcast in these ways not only enriches your educational journey but also lays a solid foundation for a successful career in finance.
My number one piece of advice for students considering applying to roles at an investment bank would be to network. Building relationships with industry professionals can provide invaluable insights into the culture and expectations of different banks, give you access to yesmentorship, and potentially lead to referrals that might strengthen your application.
Engaging with people who are already working in the field can help you better understand the nuances of various roles and prepare more effectively for interviews. You can start building these relationships by reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn, joining organizations that offer access to insight days, work experiences, and networking events, or by attending industry conferences and workshops.
My number one piece of advice for students considering applying to roles at an investment bank would be to network. Building relationships with industry professionals can provide invaluable insights into the culture and expectations of different banks, give you access to yesmentorship, and potentially lead to referrals that might strengthen your application.
Engaging with people who are already working in the field can help you better understand the nuances of various roles and prepare more effectively for interviews. You can start building these relationships by reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn, joining organizations that offer access to insight days, work experiences, and networking events, or by attending industry conferences and workshops.
Bookings for the 2024 Summer Analyst Training Programme are now open!
Bookings for the 2024 Summer Analyst Training Programme are now open!
+44 (0) 203 372 8415
info@amplifyme.com
