Is it worth it to do work experience before uni?
I am a 17 year old in the UK in my first year of A levels (finishing school/starting uni in 2024). I study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Economics. I am academic and will be looking to go to a top uni (Oxbridge, LSE etc).Some sort of banking job appeals to me (forgive me for not knowing the nuances of them) as it is maths/economics related and the money of course. Some of my friends are applying for work experience, however I am wondering if it is worth it or if I should just focus on my studies.
This one of the opportunities I am considering: https://www.hsbc.com/careers/students-and-graduat…
Any opinions would be appreciated.
If you can, I think it would help. The graduate recruitment market is incredibly competitive, so on the margin it might help. But importantly it might help answer some of your own questions about what banking is and what type of banking job intrigues you.
It also (and more selfishly) will provide you with some ammunition to draw on as support for responding to the "Why [Investment Bankings / Sales and Trading / Equity Research / etc.) questions which will certainly come in your spring week / internship applications.
However, work experience pre-university isn't a "must have", and applications shouldn't come at the expense of your studies (the university you end up at and exam results I think will be much more important), so do it only if you're confident about that. Also, don't dwell on it if you fail to secure a role, and remember to enjoy those final golden years of pre-university
Thank you, I think I will apply after what you said, I may not get in anyway. It is a good point that it will help increase my understanding of the differences. I have a "careers day" tomorrow at college where I have signed up to investment banking as one of my options, hopefully that will shed some light.
Doesn't hurt, but certainly not necessary.
always worth it imo even if you're not super interested yet. early experience will help you stand out from other first-years applicants who will likely lack this - for banks, it's hard to differentiate between first-years, since no one really knows anything of value yet (technicals, industry knowledge), so the way to stand out is enthusiasm, genuine curiosity and being a good person! work experience is helpful to signal this.
iirc MS and Roths have early insight/work experience programmes. good luck!!!
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