Global Markets Degree Apprentice Review

I work on the trading floor. I am part of a team that deals with derivatives and structured products containing derivatives. My day-to-day activities involve pricing the products we have when we receive client requests based on current market conditions, producing daily and weekly reports on revenue, keeping a record of the pricing requests that the desk receives and producing any research of project that my manager considers appropriate and helpful for my professional development (presentations, market research...). All of this while also doing university assignments and studying on the study day,(Wednesday) when you don't come in to work, but rather, you have lectures, time to study and do assignments.

I have learnt so much - the learning curve is step, especially the first couple of months. I have learned about derivatives and improved my knowledge about the stock market, especially regulation and complex products. I have also developed my social skills by attending internal networking events and I have become better at managing my time as it is a fundamental part of the job. I have become better at using Excel and I've learned how to use a multitude of internal software for different specialized tasks.

I enjoy it most of the time, the friends I've made in my cohort are amazing and the team I work with is very supportive. The work I do is challenging and makes me feel proud, especially when thinking that I'm working on a trading floor when just a year ago I was in sixth form studying A-levels. The fact that you have a study day makes everything very manageable, and the trips to Exeter when we have in-person lectures are always very fun and gives you a taste of what Uni life is like.

This is the only point where I see opportunity for significant improvement. It's not badly structured, it works and makes you succeed and become a good professional while earning and learning, however, there are two main areas that I would like to highlight if you're considering this program. 1 - The first 2 months on the desk you join. Everyone is friendly and welcoming, however, due to the intense and busy nature of the industry, your line manager may not always have time to give you all the training you need or answer all your questions while you learn how to do your job, hence, you need to be very proactive and seize every opportunity you have to learn or ask questions. 2 - The Apprenticeship program consists of various parts that you need to pay attention to in terms of education. The CISI qualification and exams, the university finance assignments, the university professional practice assignments and the evidence portfolio with your academic mentor. These belong on different platforms and there is no centralized platform where you can keep track of what is due and upcoming, hence, you need to be on top of your game always, checking everything and making sure you're handing in your assignments in time as well as preparing properly for your exams. It's not necessarily badly organized, you just need to check various sources for your education objectives and adds slightly more stress and pressure on to you as it can be easy to miss details.

The support network is very broad, you always have someone to talk to or ask a question. The support you receive comes from: -Your line manager, he/she may be busy at times but overall, they're your main point of contact for questions and support about the job. -Your professional mentor. As part of the program, you get a professional mentor, who is another experienced professional from the bank who will have recurring catch-ups with you and guide you as well as answer any questions you have. -Your apprenticeship buddy. This is an older apprentice, from the older cohorts. This is a good connection as they've gone through what you're undergoing now. I found my buddy's support very useful and it's a more informal way of talking about you concerns or doubts. -The University lecturers. They're always keen to help you with any doubts about assignments. -The UBS Apprentice HR team. -The sponsors. Team of senior employees who form part of your network.

Exeter has provided us with many resources such as mock exams and in depth lectures about the topic studied. The lecturers are experienced in the finance industry and are always willing to help and answer any question. I found it very surprising as I thought that uni would be mainly independent work (which it is) but at the same time, you have the support of the lecturers and staff, helping you to navigate the syllabus.

At the moment what we study in the qualifications is only relevant for our general knowledge of the industry and for helping us understand discussions about the topic, but at least in my case, it doesn't really teach me anything that I do on the job. It does however, make you more responsible and aware of things like regulation and the wider economic environment.

There are various networks that organize events on a regular basis (like talks, networking events, volunteering, charity events) and the company is very supportive of these events. My cohort also organizes days when we go out to play football or badminton after work. The tradition is to go out for drinks on a weekly basis as well. I was surprised to see that there are extra-curricular activities in a corporate environment. The company allows 2 days a year of volunteering.

Yes

The overall value of the program is very good. It's not only about the money, the fact that you get a degree from a reputable institution without getting in debt, the connections you make, the environment that you get to be a part of, the experience you build and the freedom that having your own salary gives you. I don't regret not going to university the traditional way at all.

Prepare well for the interviews with material you can find online. Have some work experience to show you can work in a team and are responsible and proactive. Have decent knowledge about finance, whether it's from an economics perspective or purely from an investing in the markets perspective. Be friendly and likeable, show good energy and be willing to learn and take on new challanges.