70 likes | 166 Views
Alumni Insights: What can I do with my Economics Degree? Ed Fisher, Economics ( BSc ), 2007. Making the most of the opportunities whilst studying. Time to do your research on industries, companies and their various graduate programmes Be proactive and plan ahead
E N D
Alumni Insights: What can I do with my Economics Degree?Ed Fisher, Economics (BSc), 2007
Making the most of the opportunities whilst studying • Time to do your research on industries, companies and their various graduate programmes • Be proactive and plan ahead • Have a strategy to help land you the job you want • Prioritize time to what comes next after university and have key milestones along the way • Formal / ad-hoc work experience • Easter / Summer internships
Other benefits of being a Royal Holloway student • Strong recognized brand in the job market • Great range of clubs and societies • Mixing with people from diverse backgrounds • Careers office and advice • Based in London
Maximizing your degree when applying for jobs • Focused on what you want to get out of your career • Emphasis on relevant aspects of your degree to the jobs you’re looking for, e.g. specific skills such as numeric analysis or problem solving very attractive to employers • Evidence of skills through specific courses and / or pieces of work • Why you picked your degree and the optional courses • The challenges and what you’ve learnt along the way from both setbacks and successes
Where I am now and how I got there • A random walk or strategic planning? • Graduate scheme at Barclays Commercial • Structured Finance and then Real Estate Investment Banking areas in Barclays Capital; specializing into a product and then a sector • Director of a real estate investment firm; gamekeeper turned poacher? • Corporate life vs the boutique specialists
Going for the job: general tips and advice for CVs and applications • Don’t lie on your CV! But… • …do blow your own trumpet! Be enthusiastic about your life and your achievements • Show your interest in the company, the job, the market(s), related news stories that have interested you, etc etc • Look at the company’s strategy, reputation, its place in the market, what distinguishes it from its competitors, what it does (and doesn’t) do well • Really think about what you want to do before you apply, then look at the areas which will suit you best (and not the other way around)
Going for the job: general tips and advice on interview technique • Think ahead about what you want to convey, but speak honestly / naturally rather than rehearsed answers • Professional attire – you need to look the part! • Ask lots of questions back; it shows you want to work there and that you want this job specifically, not just a job • Take any setbacks as a positive opportunity to improve • And finally – be open minded! Economists are welcome everywhere; government, finance, corporates, consulting, law, accountancy, charities / NGOs, overseas, academia…or start your own business!