I'm an incoming undergraduate at a Russell Group university in England. I'm looking to break into IB as a career but I'm very interested in entering IB in Zurich. I speak/write German up to B2.2/B2.3 standard, having studied it at A-Levels and supplemental courses at the Goethe Institut.
Are there Finance internship opportunities open to international university students in Zurich?
| +24 | Thoughts on unseriously applying to jobs/interviewing? | 4 | 4d |
| +21 | Feeling Like I don’t fit in (intern) | 14 | 2d |
| +16 | Whats the point in even trying to get into this industry | 4 | 10h |
| +16 | Am I cooked? | 5 | 1d |
| +15 | Frustrations with Lateraling? | 1 | 2d |
| +11 | freaking out about sie | 7 | 1d |
| +9 | Final-Year with no offers | 3 | 16h |
| +9 | Senior Summer vibes | 1 | 4d |
| +9 | Experience reneging on offer? Accepted an offer, two better processes still alive | 1 | 6d |
| +9 | Interview Peocess for Lateral VP hire in IB | 2 | 5d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Zurich is a very small place for IB. I am currently waiting for new Graduate programs (common here) to drop but nothing IB related…
You can break in but it Ould be easier with a first internship in IB. You have so many more opportunities in London man, I wouldn’t advise you to « waste » your time on Zurich for a first experience. I moved here some time ago and am shocked at what I’m missing compared to London/Paris when I make a quick LinkedIn search… You have in a day what you get in a week of new positions.
Now you can always seek different finance internship, i know that Novartis & Roche frequently hires UK graduates (SEO London).
Best of luck
Thanks for your insightful reply.
Two things I wanted to ask from your reply:
1. Would it be possible for a non-French speaker to break into IB in Paris?
2. Would Private Banking be a potentially good career path in Zurich?
1. From what I've heard and read here on WSO, it's very difficult. For some reason the culture is quite different from London, where non-natives are very under-represented, I believe it's because people will speak French almost tall the time in the office unless there's a client (given they do not speak French) or a specific need for it. Maybe other people have different views on this though.
2. AM, WM / Private Banking is what the Swiss do best, depending on the area your level of German isn't required to be on top. Bear in mind for many Wealth Management roles (UHNW, etc...) you might need to speak a third / fourth language. I very often see job posts from UBS/CS looking for people who speak Spanish, Turkish, Russian or Arabic... And for region specific roles (LATAM, APAC) I think it's always best if you come from the region. In Switzerland employers are allowed to discriminate based on ethics, religion, etc... They won't hesitate to pick what's easiest for them. I know one girl who works for UHNW clients in LATAM region and she is from Brazil herself. There are a ton of educated immigrants in Zurich so keep this in mind.
Dolore eius illum corrupti voluptatibus molestias. Non illo doloremque omnis adipisci dolorem magnam aut molestiae.
Vitae delectus similique eos nostrum dolorem. Distinctio iusto ut et deserunt labore ad nisi quaerat.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...