Breaking Into European S&T as a Canadian Student
For context:
- I have 4+ yrs working at retail level bank and 1 yr working MO at Top IB in Canada.
-Econ student at semi-target (within Canada)
Bilingual in English and Spanish so I’m thinking Spain’s my best chance?
Part of finance clubs, have Trading certificates, Improving VBA / SQL proficiency
Are intl. grad talent programs my only way? (Barclays / UBS, etc,.) Grades meet req) ~3.0
I know if I can’t make it in Toronto, I can’t make it anywhere, but I still haven’t ‘made it’ at all yet… should I land a Capital markets role here (even if it’s outside of S&T) with the intention of moving laterally? If so, does the time delay hurt me more/and or is irrelevant to European employers?
Sorry for rambling, just a student in my final year without any relevant S&T xp and worried that I’ll be making it harder for myself. I’m going crazy with networking in Spain as I plan on living / working there after graduation in 2024.
Anything else you guys would recommend? I appreciate your advice in advance
Hey there, no need to apologize for rambling, we're all here to help each other out! Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some thoughts:
International grad talent programs: These are definitely a good way to break into S&T, especially if you're looking at big names like Barclays and UBS. They often value diversity and having a bilingual candidate like you could be a plus.
Landing a Capital Markets role in Toronto: This could be a good stepping stone, especially if you're finding it hard to break directly into S&T. Once you're in, you can network and try to move laterally. As for the time delay, it's hard to say if it would hurt you. It might make you a more attractive candidate because you'll have more experience, but it could also mean you're competing with a new batch of grads when you try to move.
Networking in Spain: This is a great move, especially since you plan on living and working there. Try to connect with people who are currently working in S&T in Spain, or who have made a similar move from Canada to Spain. They might have some valuable insights and advice.
Other recommendations: Keep improving your technical skills, like VBA and SQL. These will definitely come in handy in S&T. Also, consider getting some relevant internships or part-time roles while you're still in school. This could help you gain some practical experience and make you a more attractive candidate.
Remember, the journey to breaking into S&T can be a marathon, not a sprint. Keep pushing, keep networking, and don't get discouraged if things don't happen right away. You've got this!
Sources: How to break into S&T as a graduate?, Working for European PE as an American, Breaking into Finance in California from Canada
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