13 December 2023 / RACHEL ASPINALL

The benefit of learning by doing

What is your current situation?

I'm currently in my final year of a Bachelors degree in Mathematics and Statistics. Last summer, I completed a summer internship at Fitch Ratings, as well as the AmplifyME Summer Programme.

Next summer, I will be undertaking a summer internship at Morgan Stanley, within the Sales and Trading division.
I'm currently in my final year of a Bachelors degree in Mathematics and Statistics. Last summer, I completed a summer internship at Fitch Ratings, as well as the AmplifyME Summer Programme.

Next summer, I will be undertaking a summer internship at Morgan Stanley, within the Sales and Trading division.

What was your approach to sending out applications?

I completed all my applications before I went back to university, allowing me to prepare for online tests and HireVues before my degree had restarted. I then focused on interview and Assessment Centre preparation alongside my studies at university. 
I completed all my applications before I went back to university, allowing me to prepare for online tests and HireVues before my degree had restarted.

I then focused on interview and Assessment Centre preparation alongside my studies at university.

What was your motivation to do the AmplifyME Summer Analyst Training Programme?

I applied for summer internships within bulge bracket banks both at the start of my 2nd and 3rd year (placement year) and both times I had little success in securing an internship.

I'd heard about AmplifyME's reputation of preparing students for roles in finance and decided to do the programme over the 2023 Summer. 
I applied for summer internships within bulge bracket banks both at the start of my 2nd and 3rd year (placement year) and both times I had little success in securing an internship.

I'd heard about AmplifyME's reputation of preparing students for roles in finance and decided to do the programme over the 2023 Summer. 

Which part of the programme was most beneficial for you?

Particularly within Sales and Trading, there are very few opportunities to actually experience the role of a sell-side trader (unless you have already gained an internship/graduate job). Over the programme, I was able to fully immerse myself in the role and gain practical experience.

This was especially helpful in interviews when I was asked, why I wanted to do the role and how my skillset would make me valuable. I had concrete examples that I was able to talk about.
Particularly within Sales and Trading, there are very few opportunities to actually experience the role of a sell-side trader (unless you have already gained an internship/graduate job).

Over the programme, I was able to fully immerse myself in the role and gain practical experience. This was especially helpful in interviews when I was asked, why I wanted to do the role and how my skillset would make me valuable. I had concrete examples that I was able to talk about.

What advice would you give to fellow students on applying to roles in finance?

Rather than applying for every Finance job available, instead focus on just one division and prepare as best you can for that one division. This will make it easier to prepare for interviews and you will seem more authentic about why you want to do a given role. You will also be able to spend more time preparing for fewer tests and HireVues, which will lead to a greater success rate. 


Rather than applying for every Finance job available, instead focus on just one division and prepare as best you can for that one division.

This will make it easier to prepare for interviews and you will seem more authentic about why you want to do a given role. You will also be able to spend more time preparing for fewer tests and HireVues, which will lead to a greater success rate. 
Bookings for the 2024 Summer Analyst Training Programme are now open!
Bookings for the 2024 Summer Analyst Training Programme are now open!