Soon-to-be graduate, Grace Molloy, starts a two-year graduate programme as an Analyst at Barclays Corporate and Investment Bank this September. Her blog recounts how she landed this position and how studying Geography has prepared her for this exciting new role.
As I near the end of my Geography degree, I am preparing myself for working as an Analyst in Barclays Corporate and Investment Bank in Canary Wharf.
(Credit: Grace Molloy)
I was introduced to financial services during a Spring Week programme in the Easter period during my first year. I learnt about the functions of the bank, including risk, finance, HR, technology and compliance. At networking events in Barclays Offices in Canary Wharf, I met senior leaders in the bank who were so willing to give us an overview of their roles and encouraged us to learn more. With places available on the 2020 Summer Internship scheme at stake, we completed an assessment day at the end of the week, comprising of a group presentation and questions from directors about a type of financial technology – my group presented about blockchain. We then had individual interviews. I loved the buzz in a corporate office. Skills I developed in the first-year module of Geography Tutorials: Critical Thinking and Techniques, including communication skills like public speaking, developed my ability to participate in complex problem-solving discussions.
I was successful in gaining a place on the Internship scheme in Summer 2020 (yay!!) – I was working full-time on the shop floor in Topshop Oxford Circus when I got the news during my lunch break… I was overwhelmed and so grateful for the opportunity, especially as I knew that it was a competitive environment and not everybody was offered a place. I completed my internship virtually in July and August 2020. Despite being remote, I found it to be such an immersive experience.
I worked on a high-risk project and aimed to hit targets by every Friday – I transferred data to a managerial information report at weekly group meetings. Working towards targets accurately every week, pushed me to take care when evaluating the data whilst being under pressure (even when I had to analyse 3 or 4 sets of information at once!). I had supportive and thorough training, so I learnt how to use new software quickly and confidently and I always felt like I could approach colleagues with any concerns. My wider training covered topics like data protection, financial markets, data handling, compliance, networking and leadership. The report writing skills I gained as part of the Field Research module in my second-year and the fieldtrip to San Francisco, helped me understand and contextualise my data analysis. This was particularly useful when handing over to the team at the end of my internship.
At a presentation led by an Investments managing director about ‘green bonds’, I asked a question about the impact of climate uncertainty on making investment decisions. He said it was an excellent question which was a little too difficult to answer! My knowledge gained from the second year Climatic Variability, Change and Society module led me to ask this question. It also links to the third-year Geographies of Financialisation and Value-Making module I’m studying now.
The interns around me were incredible; fast-paced learning enabled us to learn from each other. It was a privilege to be working in the same virtual ‘room’ as them. One of our targets as interns was to meet as many directors and managing directors as we could, on a 1:1 basis. I met really inspirational senior women who ran the bank, worked in diverse roles and paved the way for younger women like me who hope to be successful in finance. I spoke to them and thought “wow I want to be you!”
My time at King’s has equipped me with great resiliency and my time at Barclays made me realise that resiliency is essential. In late September 2020, I received a graduate job offer from Barclays for a two-year programme which guarantees a permanent role afterwards. This is a huge opportunity for me. Hopefully, I will be an Associate Vice President by the time I’m 23! My ambition is to work in the New York office and my ideal role would be Chief Operations Officer. Education is encouraged, so I hope to do a Master’s degree in the future. I didn’t expect to receive such excellent feedback from the bank. The experience has given me so much confidence.
I’ve absolutely loved my time at King’s – everyone has supported me so much and seen my potential. The Geography department will always hold a special place in my heart and I won’t forget how much care has gone into my learning from the lecturers. I strongly believe that my experience as a King’s Geography student has enabled me to gain a graduate job and I wouldn’t be in the position I am now, without the Department.
Now, on to the small matter of writing my dissertation…