Getting Investment Banking 2014 took place on the 24^th October 2014 at the offices of Bank of America Merrill Lynch in the heart of the City of London.

This year Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Citi, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, J. P. Morgan, Macquire, Morgan Stanley and UBS joined together in welcoming talented students with a disability or long-term health condition and provided tailored advice and the knowledge needed to make an informed application for graduate schemes and internships.

The day began with an opportunity for students to network and engage with bank representatives before sitting down for a formal introductory presentation from Lee Nicholls, partner at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch. The presentation was followed by an informative presentation from Fitch Learning providing an overview of what investment banking involves and how the industry can benefit from recruiting talented disabled students.

Following the keynote speeches students and bank representatives worked together in an interactive group session designed to address issues concerning disclosure and requesting and implementing adjustments during the recruitment process. Helen Cooke Director of My Plus Consulting and event co-organiser headed the session. The session highlighted that it is best to be upfront about your disability and that requesting adjustments is not only necessary to “level the playing the field” but it also needs to be a two-way process between the applicant and the employer whereby the most appropriate adjustments can be made.

After the keynote speeches and the interactive group session bank representatives and students networked over light refreshments before starting an interview skills session. The interview skills session headed by Grace Eddy from J. P. Morgan provided students with invaluable advice on how to best prepare for interviews and what banks can provide in terms of assistance and adjustments for talented disabled students. The session also provided information on standard interview questions and techniques to answer questions.

The event finished with a question and answers session with a panel made up of six representatives from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Citi Goldman Sachs, HSBC and J. P. Morgan. The questions and answers sessions covered a wide range of topics addressing students concerns about disclosure in the recruitment process and work place and requesting adjustment for when working in a bank.

An evening networking event closed the Getting Investment Banking event where students and bank representatives had an additional opportunity to meet each other, discuss opportunities and start the process of applying for internship and graduate placements.

The third Getting Investment Banking event took place on 24th October 2013 at the offices of Citi in Canary Wharf. Nine of the largest investment banks, with equally large commitments to increasing diversity, took part. Employees and recruiters from Citi, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Barclays, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, HSBC and UBS met with the talented disabled students who’d managed to secure a place at the event.

The event began at midday with a light lunch and a brief opportunity for students and recruiters to network before formalities began with a welcome from the host firm. The delegates were then provided with an overview of investment banking and business areas.

This was followed by a session looking at the process of requesting and implementing adjustments, should these be required. Helen Cooke, Director of My Plus Consulting and event co-organiser, took the opportunity to stress that requesting adjustments needed to be a two-way process for both employers and students – both had to be open and willing to work together for the process to be successful.

Students should give firms enough time to put adjustments in place, for example. Helen also stressed that adjustments should be about ‘levelling the playing field’, and not be abused to give one applicant an unfair advantage over others. She also highlighted that being open about your disability was always the best move to make – particularly when applying to the largest banks, which have the biggest budgets, so can afford the most adjustments, and are most keen to recruit diverse talent.

This session was followed by a short break, which provided yet more networking opportunities for employers and students. Students were then split into groups for an interview skills session. Here they were given a number of common interview questions to ask each other, helping them to practise their presentation and interpersonal skills, and given tips by firm representatives on how to best present themselves at interviews.

Following this, representatives from the participating firms took part in a Q&A session, answering questions from their personal perspectives as disabled people working in investment banking. There was then a brief discussion on the next steps for students to take, focussing on the recruitment process and how best to put together a great application, before each panel member was asked to give their final thoughts on the event. Last but not least, the event ended similarly to how it began – with networking, this time over drinks and canapés, allowing students and employers one last chance to discuss anything that sprung to mind.

Getting In 2012, a one day careers event for disabled students interested in Investment Banking, took place on 23rd October at the offices of Goldman Sachs in Central London.

Trainees, partners and recruiters from 10 global investment banks, including Citi, Barclays, JP Morgan and Credit Suisse, came to meet talented disabled students and graduates aspiring to work in the banking sector. The students who attended were afforded the opportunity to meet with potential future employers in a relaxed and open environment where they could ask questions about disability and the support on offer both during the recruitment process and in the workplace itself.

Olivia Morley from Goldman Sachs welcomed the delegates to the event and talked about the importance of a diverse workforce: “a diverse workforce encourages increased creativity and innovation and is crucial to improved performance and continued business success. To that end, we are committed to an environment that values diversity and promotes inclusion”.

Following Olivia’s opening she handed over to 7 City, a financial training company, who spent the next hour talking about investment banking; what it is, the career opportunities available, and what one can realistically expect from a career in this sector.

After lunch, Helen Cooke, Director of My Plus Consulting, explained how requesting and implementing adjustments in the workplace is a two-way street. Helen spoke about how, in recruitment, employers and candidates must work together to ensure that proper adjustments are made, sharing the responsibility of helping ‘level the playing field’ for disabled candidates. In addition, Helen talked to the delegates about the benefits of disclosing their disability to an employer, when to do this and how the information they provided was used to ensure appropriate support was put in place.

Students next enjoyed an interactive interview skills session. Recruiters explained how a typical interview was structured, got the students to work through common interview questions, and talked about what was meant by ‘commercial awareness’ and how best to demonstrate this knowledge at interview.
This was followed by a panel session of industry experts, where the panel answered questions collected from students throughout the day. The panel included representatives from Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Barclays Capital and JP Morgan.

Topics such as disclosure, support and promotion were all discussed with panel members offering advice and guidance as well as sharing their own personal experiences of managing their disability in the workplace.

The day ended with a networking reception where students were able to spend time with representatives from the different firms and find out more about working in the various organisations present.
The feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive; they found the day hugely informative and helpful. Many of them said that they day had considerably built their confidence to believe a career in investment banking was a very real opportunity for them and that support would be in place to ensure they could realise their true potential.

Since Citi opened its first office in New York in 1812, it has answered the needs of economies, businesses and communities in hundreds of cities, in over 160 countries, thriving in the most challenging times over a 200 year history. Citi’s global presence isn’t just a question of size, it’s a way of thinking.

A career with Citi means being part of a global firm that provides the most forward-thinking financial products and solutions to the most enterprising corporations, institutions, governments and individuals around the world.

Citi’s success is driven by its exceptional people – their passion, dedication and entrepreneurship – and it will be people just like you who will shape its future. At Citi, learning doesn’t stop at graduation and there are many ways to embark on a rewarding career path, enjoying the global opportunities and long-term training and development initiatives experienced by over 260,000 employees worldwide.

Opportunities

Citi offers full-time, placement and internship opportunities across a number of its business areas, including:
• Investment Banking • Corporate Banking • Capital Markets Origination • Sales & Trading • Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) • Security and Fund Services (SFS) • Private Bank • Risk Management • Human Resources • Operations and Technology.

Citi also offers insight programmes enabling students in their first year (or in their second year of a four year course) to experience first-hand the Citi culture and environment. Graduates interested in this industry with drive, commitment and a passion for learning are encouraged to apply.

Why diversity is important to us

At Citi, we recognise our diversity as a competitive advantage. In a global marketplace, it’s vital that an organisation provides a wide range of ideas and solutions to its clients. A diverse workforce not only understands its clients better but is more creative and innovative on their behalf. To maintain our competitive edge it’s essential that we continue to grow a workforce with different backgrounds, perspectives and ideas. A diverse workforce fuels an organisation like Citi, colleagues with a wide range of experiences and skills learn from one another helping to develop their full potential.

To find out more about our approach to disability, please have a look at our profile page on greatwithdisability.com – click here to view.

Careers website

oncampus.citi.com

Application deadlines

Our applications will open again in 2016. Please visit our website for more information.

The business

Morgan Stanley is a leading financial services firm. Our vision and goals can only be achieved through hiring, training and rewarding the best people. Morgan Stanley is a true global citizen, with offices around the world filled with talented, passionate people bringing excellence and integrity to everything we do. As technology links us closer together, the firm is in a unique position to address the increasingly global needs of our clients.

Our attention is on the future, even though we draw strength from our successful past. We are focused on new ideas and groundbreaking financial products. We believe capital creates change and that it can be channelled in such a way that we do well in business while also seeding goodness in the world. This is why we are working with visionary businesses and individuals to generate funding to finance innovative ideas for a better future.

The people

There is no typical person at Morgan Stanley. Our employees represent globally diverse backgrounds and interests. What they have in common is that they are all high achievers who share integrity, intellectual curiosity and the desire to work in a collegial environment. We prize individuality and encourage our people to be themselves. What you are interested in and how you approach the world will determine your individual career path with us.

A strategic approach

WHAT WE DO—Advise, originate, trade, manage and distribute capital for governments, institutions and individuals and always do so with a standard of excellence.

HOW WE DO IT—Execute in a way that is consistent with our core values and, whenever possible, deliver more than one part of the firm.

WITH WHAT RESULT—Deliver strong returns for our shareholders, build long-term value for our clients and offer highly attractive career opportunities for our employees.

Clear core values

Four things are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in:

• Putting Clients First
• Doing the Right Thing
• Leading With Exceptional Ideas
• Giving Back

Expectations of Excellence

We believe that capital can work to benefit all of society. The success we envision, and then create, needs financial capital, certainly; but the realization of success begins with intellectual capital—our people, our strongest asset. We know that the talent and points of view of diverse individuals working for us build our legacy and shape our future. This is why we accept applicants from all degree disciplines who demonstrate academic excellence.

We also believe attitude is just as important as aptitude. We want to work with and develop students and graduates who show integrity and commitment to our core values, who share our commitment to providing first-class service to clients and who are open to innovation. We don’t hold to the idea that just because something has always been done a certain way it’s the best way to move forward. One result of our beliefs and management system is that new recruits are often surprised by how quickly they can advance to a role with substantial responsibility.

Envision your success with Morgan Stanley. What will you create?

Internship opportunities

Gaining work experience before you graduate adds great value for you and for us. We offer internships that give promising penultimate-year students the chance to experience one of our nine key business areas in an enjoyable and intellectually challenging way. In addition to our 10-week summer programs, we also run industrial placements and off-cycle internships, plus give you the opportunity to join us for a look behind the scenes at one of our insight events. While allowing you to experience Morgan Stanley and our culture first hand, internships and industrial placements also serve us well. They provide the #1 pipeline for our full-time programs.

The graduate program

Like our Internships, the Morgan Stanley Graduate Programs are open to students who demonstrate the entrepreneurial drive, teamwork and communication skills needed to take our business forward. We see it as a challenge to the best and brightest; an invitation to be part of the next generation of leaders who not only create capital but also advance culture, science and humanity through commerce. The structured program is designed to hone your negotiation and networking abilities as well as equip you with specialist knowledge of your chosen area.

Our commitment to you

We are proud to offer opportunities for students and recent graduates who are ready to grow their careers with us. What you create at Morgan Stanley—your lasting contributions—will be a collaborative effort between you and us. You will have numerous opportunities to learn and grow professionally as you help put the power of capital to work alongside talented men and women—colleagues having business acumen, diverse backgrounds and varied personal interests. We encourage outside interests because we believe in work-life balance and in supporting your efforts to give back to community, family and yourself. Diversity of people and ideas bring strength to our firm and to the world.

What leadership brings

Morgan Stanley is a place of authentic achievement, of drive with purpose, and of smart people coming together to do work that actually matters. We have maintained our leadership position in the industry for many years. Our investment banking franchise regularly features at the top of the league tables for Mergers & Acquisitions and IPOs.  Our research, strategy and economics teams are consistently ranked highly in investor surveys.  Our Sales & Trading, Prime Brokerage, Wealth Management and Asset Management businesses have won multiple awards over the years, and Morgan Stanley’s commitment to diversity and equality has also received accolades.

Our future, your future

Morgan Stanley’s leadership success rests on the talents of our people, so our future lies in enabling them—us–to be the best we can be. Which is why—whether you join us as an intern or as a graduate—you can expect world-class training and development. Depending on the area you join, you will learn how to manipulate analytical tools, cutting-edge technology and data resources. However, classroom-based and on the job training and workshops are just one aspect of your development. You will also receive regular mentoring and coaching, as well as be invited to networking events and senior management presentations. All of which will help you to know our culture as well as understand our core values and key products, and allow you to build a network of contacts—all necessary foundations for a truly exceptional and rewarding career.

Careers Website: Website: www.morganstanley.com/careers  

Application Deadlines (Duration of Internships: From 10 weeks up to 12 months)

130,000 people.  Over 50 countries. A long tradition of innovation that remains at the heart of the business today. These are just a few of the things that make us a major global financial services provider. But it’s our future ambitions and the actions we’re taking to achieve them that truly sets us apart.

We’re setting out to shape the future of our business. Driven by strong values and a clear direction, we’re focusing on one core purpose: Helping people achieve their ambitions – in the right way. This includes our graduates and interns.

Barclays offers a remarkable breadth of opportunities for students, undergraduates, graduates and postgraduates right across our business. There are opportunities in Corporate and Investment Banking, Personal And Corporate Banking, Barclaycard  as well as a host of crucial business support functions such as Technology, HR, Finance, Risk, Treasury, Compliance, and Marketing. Applications are welcome from graduates from all disciplines.

Every opportunity provides distinct challenges and opportunities. But wherever you join, you’ll enjoy immediate responsibility and continued support from your team. Your development will be tailored to your needs and you’ll be empowered to think innovatively and seize opportunities to inspire progress.

Graduates are playing their part in change right across Barclays. As well as a strong academic record and a commercial outlook, new graduates coming into Barclays need to be ready to express their ideas, learn quickly and be resilient.

Apply at barclays.com/joinus

Our applications open in August and we recruit on a rolling basis and therefore encourage early applications.

About Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base, including corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals.

At Goldman Sachs, you will have many opportunities to make an impact. The unique perspectives that our people bring to the firm and their shared passion for working on projects of great global, economic and social significance, help drive progress and create results.

About Our Programmes

From your first day, you will be immersed in a collaborative environment with people of all levels who share the firm’s values. Nearly everyone – from our junior analysts to our most senior leaders – is actively involved in recruiting talented people from a variety of backgrounds, because we recognise that a diverse workforce enables us to serve our clients most effectively and in the most innovative ways.

The diversity of talents and educational backgrounds in our people is crucial to our performance and business success. To that end, we are committed to an environment that values diversity, promotes inclusion and encourages teamwork.

Whatever your background or area of academic study, we value the intellect, personality and integrity of an individual. While an interest in and appreciation for finance is important, one’s personal qualities are key.

Opportunities

New Analyst Programme, Summer Internships, Work Placements, Spring Internships

Why diversity is important to us

Our culture, built on teamwork, excellence and diversity, provides opportunities for everyone to have an important impact on the building of our businesses.  As a global business, our people come from all over the world and represent different nationalities, educational backgrounds and life experiences. We welcome their unique perspectives, their energy and ideas and their willingness to learn as well as to teach.

We believe that working towards a more diverse workplace will both benefit the firm and help us to more successfully meet the needs of our clients.  Our ongoing diversity efforts include a commitment to recruiting women, students from historically under-represented backgrounds, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population and those with disabilities. We also seek candidates from a broad array of academic disciplines and concentrations, such as liberal arts, applied math, sciences, and engineering.

To find out more about our approach to disability, please have a look at our profile page on greatwithdisability.com – click here to view.

Careers website

goldmansachs.com/careers

Application deadlines

Our applications will open again in 2016. Please visit our website for more information.

About Us

HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. With around 6,200 offices in both established and faster-growing markets, we aim to be where the growth is, connecting customers to opportunities, enabling businesses to thrive and economies to prosper and, ultimately, helping people to fulfill their hopes and realize their ambitions

We serve around 52 million customers through our four global businesses: Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Global Private Banking. Our network covers 74 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, Africa, North America and Latin America. Our aim is to be acknowledged as the world’s leading international bank.

Student/Graduate opportunities

At HSBC, there’s always room for difference, but everyone shares a focus on teamwork, a feeling of community and mutual respect. It’s a culture focused on doing the right thing where people take responsibility for their actions.

By focusing on the long term, HSBC can build on its achievements; look for new opportunities and never lose sight of its heritage. People are proud to be part of an organisation that’s always moving forward – and doing so responsibly.

Now, HSBC want people who share a focus on the bigger picture and are ready for the global challenges and opportunities that they offer.

Spring Insight Programme;

For first-year undergraduates, we offer a four-day Spring Insight Programme. The Spring Insight Programme is designed to give you an introduction to the Global Banking and Markets, Global Private Bank, Global Asset Management and HSBC Securities Services businesses through interactive learning sessions, workshops, a trading floor tour, networking events and work shadowing.

Markets Operations Apprenticeships Programme;

This twelve month programme beginning in October 2016 offers you the opportunity to develop an expertise in one of the most important areas of the Markets Operations business. The programme gives you first hand experience in managing and controlling the processing of trades and complex transactions and providing post trade support, preparing you for a successful career path as an Operations Analyst within Markets Operations in HSBC London.

We are looking for final year college students who are undertaking their A level’s or equivalent and are on track to achieve ABB of higher. We are keen to hear from people who want to be involved, who are able to navigate and ultimately, make a difference.

Summer Analyst Programme;

In your penultimate year of university, you can join our ten-week structured Summer Analyst Programme across a range of global business areas. One thing these opportunities have in common is a chance to impress us with your abilities and be fast-tracked to the next programme, or get offered a full-time graduate position.

Graduate Programme;

For graduates, that means there’s a platform and support for talent that offers global experience and exposure to new markets. The challenges are real and graduates become integral members of a network that stretches around the world. At HSBC, graduates can see past their short term goals to build long and rewarding careers.

We have designed an extensive and structured induction programme offering comprehensive business, technical and behavioural skills training as well as the opportunity to learn about our international culture, strategy and values and gain a range of transferable soft skills. You will continue to receive technical and personal development training as your programme progresses. In addition, you will work alongside some of the finest professionals in the industry, taking advantage of our extensive financial strength and international network.

For more information on the opportunities available at HSBC and to search and register for all of our upcoming events please visit our website;

www.hsbc.com/careers

Why diversity is important to us

In an organisation as global and as well connected as HSBC, being open to different ideas, perspectives and cultures is vital. Our future success depends on connecting with clients, communities and each other. That is why you will find diversity at the heart of our business.

Our Diversity and Inclusion team aim to ensure people feel valued and that they are working in an environment where discrimination, bullying and harassment are not tolerated, and employees feel their opinions count, their views are heard and their concerns are addressed.

Diversity and inclusion is core to the culture of HSBC and is embedded in our Group Values.

Application deadlines

Our applications will open again in 2016. Please visit our website for more information. 

Working with a team committed to being the best. Earning the trust of our clients. Demanding excellence of yourself. That’s what it means to be part of J.P. Morgan. Join us and you’ll help shape the future of one of the most respected financial institutions in the world. We play a leading role in helping markets grow and companies develop in more than 100 countries.

We are looking for team players and future leaders with exceptional drive, creativity and interpersonal skills. Impeccable academic credentials are important, but so are your achievements outside the classroom.

Opportunities

Start early and get yourself noticed.
Career opportunities are available firm-wide, so it pays to find out as much as possible about the industry, our business areas, the roles we offer and what we are looking for before you apply.

For those graduating in 2018, we have multiple spring week programmes across our various lines of businesses – Spring Week: Inside the Industry (Investment Banking and CIB Risk), Spring Week: Experience the Markets,Spring Week: Technology, Spring Week: Winning Women, and Spring into Bournemouth.

Where do you fit in?

Summer internship opportunities are available in the following areas:
• Asset Management • CIB Risk • Finance • Human Resources • Investment Banking
• Investor Services • Operations • Private Bank • Quantitative Research • Sales, Trading & Research • Technology • Treasury Services

Why diversity is important to us

Diversity is a cornerstone of our global culture, and it helps us meet the changing needs of our clients, customers, employees and the communities we serve around the world. Our diversity strategy focuses on four core areas: management accountability, workforce development, workplace inclusion and marketplace impact.

Our efforts to promote diversity and inclusion are comprehensive. We encourage managers to hire, develop and maintain a diverse workforce, and we offer a complete set of programs and benefits to meet their changing needs. And we foster a diverse supply base by cultivating relationships with firms owned and operated by minorities, women and other historically underutilized groups.

To find out more about our approach to disability, please have a look at our profile page on greatwithdisability.com – click here  to view.

Careers website

jpmorgan.com/careers

Application deadlines

Our applications will open again in 2016. Please visit our website for more information.

About Credit Suisse

Credit Suisse is a forward-thinking financial services firm serving clients around the globe. As a stable company with a long banking tradition, we are one of the most respected banks in the world. Indeed, we are a leading player in many key markets—recognized by industry publications for our continued excellence.

Our two global divisions, Private Banking & Wealth Management and Investment Banking – partner with our Shared Services, Information Technology and Operations teams. Together, they work around the world, around the clock, providing seamless solutions to our global clients and employees.

Opportunities

We offer entry-level programs in Investment Banking (including Fixed Income and Equities), Asset Management, Information Technology, Investment Banking Operations, Finance and CFO Program Services, as well as a range of internships and placement opportunities.

Careers Website

credit-suisse.com/careers

Deadlines

1st year Spring Insight deadline is early January 2017.
Penultimate year Internship Program deadline is late December 2016.

Number of Employees

More than 47,000 people

Getting Investment Banking is a careers event specifically for students with a disability or long-term health condition. The official definition of disability according to the Equality Act 2010 defines a disabled person as “someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.”

Conditions covered by the Equality Act include, but are not limited to: visual and hearing impairments, mobility impairments, Asperger’s Syndrome, diabetes, epilepsy, dyslexia, dyspraxia, mental health conditions, speech impairments and major illnesses such as cancer and MS.

If you are uncertain whether you are eligible to apply please contact us at: gettinginvestmentbanking@staffordlong.co.uk

What did / do you study and where?

I went to University of London, Queen Mary and I studied Economics and Finance.

What drew you to the organisation you are working for / did your internship with?

Having met many people from various institutions, the people and culture at Bank of America really stood out. What impressed me was their commitment to diversity and inclusion, teamwork and meritocracy. Everyone was extremely supportive, helpful and welcoming.

How do you manage your disability at work?

Bank of America makes sure that any challenges or disadvantages are minimal. This is not only due to the network they have available to help you out with equipment, but the people are what make the biggest difference to me. Everyone is understanding, supportive and enthusiastic.

How has your employer helped you to do well at your workplace?

Before joining, Bank of America’s HR team made sure that things were put in place for me. I met with occupational health, knowing I could follow up with HR if I needed to. I have had several adjustments made for me also. I’ve found everyone at the bank to be very open and the Bank of America team has been very accommodating.

What advice or top tips would you offer?

If you have a disability, accept that it’s what makes you special, and that’s who you are. I would also advise you to be very open about it. The more transparent you are about your disability, the more people are able to provide the support you need in order to succeed in your career.

What did / do you study and where?

I am studying Maths and Economics at LSE.

What drew you to the organisation you are working for / did your internship with?

I was attracted to Barclays by conversing with members of the Barclays team at the Getting In Banking networking session. Their friendliness and inspiring chats encouraged me to apply.

How do you manage your disability at work?

I have a remote speech to text reporter during meetings. I also have a notetaker during long sessions.

How has your employer helped you to do well at your workplace?

Barclays has been very helpful from the start of the recruitment process to the end of the internship. At all stages, I have been asked what adjustments would be useful and they have all been implemented. Barclays also liased with Action on hearing loss on deaf awareness training for the team, as well as any potential equipment/adjustments that maybe added.

 What did you gain from attending Getting In?

The event was very useful giving a good insight of the Banking industry and various roles in it. In particular the panel discussing disability and reasonable adjustments was very motivating and informative on dealing with disability in the recruitment process as the work place.

 What advice or top tips would you offer?

It is obviously very important to network at events such at these – make sure you try meet as many people as you can from all the banks!