Hello/Advice for UK Graduate

Hi,
I am a graduate from the UK, I have a degree in Physics and a Masters in Laser Physics from two great Universities, one ranked among the top 10 in the country. My Masters was great, it taught me a lot of transferable skills, the kind of "soft" research skills a physicist lacks, but the exact kind that you would need in finance. I currently run my own business, a private tutoring agency and I also work as a private tutor, teaching maths, physics and engineering. I graduated at an awkward time in December 2012 and after leaving University I have worked as a tutor, enjoying some down time. I started to get on to looking for graduate work in September, but up to now I have had no success.

I have a few problems. I have no internships/ previous work experience and a 2:2. There is an explanation, I have dyslexia and I was diagnosed after I completed my masters, so I did not get help at any stage of my education. I believe this had a significant impact on my education, as I have always been hard working and well read at all stages of my education, but I always struggled to finish exams in time, mis-read or misinterpreted questions and performed poorly on extended worded sections. I would have liked to have gotten an internship, but with a 2:2 and no explanation for it, I would never have succeeded.

I am looking for a way forward. I have put a few applications in to some big IBs but I have not had a positive response back from them yet. I am currently working on applying to some hedge funds based in London who are recruiting graduates. I have also been reading books on the area to increase my knowledge of specific technical things and help me prepare for future interviews, but I do already know about the industry and I do stay up to date with current affairs and the economy anyway.

I wanted to know if anyone could give me advice on how to move forward? Especially anyone from the UK already working in finance.
Cheers

3 Comments
 

Dyslexia is no excuse. Many people, myself included, have "it" and are able to get by.

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 

I tested very poorly on verbal and numerical skills during my assessment. Many exams were left unfinished throughout my school years. I was especially weak in English because I couldn't complete the exams within the allotted time. Clearly I am struggling to "get by".

 

Beatae recusandae et facilis hic eligendi eligendi quo. In laboriosam sunt accusamus maxime labore enim. Blanditiis assumenda qui eos perspiciatis aliquid maxime.

Voluptas ea cum placeat rerum minima rerum veniam. Eos voluptas asperiores eveniet dolores aut odit. Et minus explicabo consequatur repellendus dolor voluptatem nulla. Aperiam et labore delectus fugit expedita aspernatur quia.

Et iusto quas unde recusandae aut. Ut atque repellendus ad quia esse voluptas. Et ea qui tempore perferendis qui. Provident impedit porro officia iure.

Veniam voluptates aut ut molestias aut qui. Delectus praesentium perferendis sed sint. Architecto explicabo dolorum perspiciatis.

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (24) $180
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (82) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”