Graduate Case Studies - Lawrence Freeman - Commercial Banking Graduate - Barclays
Name: Lawrence Freeman
Age: 23
Degree and University: Politics and Sociology at the University of Exeter
Title: Barclays Commercial Banking Graduate Scheme
What do you actually do? Currently I'm on my first placement as a Commercial Banking Assistant Manager. I provide support to a Barclays Relationship Manager by helping a portfolio of clients, by providing solutions to meet their financial needs.
Were you always interested in this area as a career? As a student, I never thought I'd go into financial services, but having graduated I did temporary work that whetted my appetite for banking. I made sure I took opportunities to do more work experience in the area to increase my understanding of what financial jobs entailed.
How did you find out about this particular career/job?
I suffer from dyslexia and so got in contact with Employability. They sent me an email about Barclays Commercial Bank Summer Internship, for which I applied. After my interviews, the Graduate Scheme staff offered me a place on the programme and I jumped at the opportunity.
What do you like most about your job and are there any downsides?
The two things I really love about my job are the people and the opportunity to be part of a global organisation. However, you can get issues that are outside your remit, but as the contact point for your client, you must take ownership. This can be frustrating at times, as how ever hard you try, you are ultimately waiting for someone else to help you deliver a solution.
What do you think are the most important skills/strengths you need to make a success of what you do?
1. Good people skills/networking - Whether you're talking to a client or colleagues it is important to build relationships. It will make your working day more enjoyable and effective if you can rely on people and they in turn can rely on you.
2. Be organised - There are always many things to do, so create a system with which you are comfortable to make your day as productive as possible.
3. Up skill - Take every opportunity to learn more. Even if it seems mundane at the time, many things will pop up in the future.
What would be your best piece of advice for graduates wishing to come into this sector? Do your research. Some students tend to be blinkered about what financial services encompass: it's not all about investment banking. There is a huge range of disciplines, each with its own job opportunities. I'd suggest that graduates should be prepared to look at as many as possible to find the one that suits them best.
Add to
Send to a friend
Post a comment
Comments
No comments....
Graduate Employers
| nucleargraduates | The UK’s nuclear industry is facing its biggest challenge in... | more |
| PwC | PwC is the one firm for all talented graduates. As one of the wor... | more |
| Cambridge City Council | Cambridge is a vibrant city and is a great place to live, work and... | more |
| DLA Piper | With more than 3,700 lawyers in 64 offices in 25 countries, we hel... | more |
| Enterprise Rent-A-Car | If you've ever had nightmares about spending years at university o... | more |
| CIPD (Chartered Institute of Perso... | The CIPD is Europe’s largest professional body for those inv... | more |
Graduate Case Studies
|
NAFISA SHAFIQ - PR INTERNNafisa Shafiq studied for a BSc in marketing at Bradford University school of management. She’s now an intern with PR firm Northern Lights. ... more |
|
LAURA WILKINSON - LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTLaura Wilkinson studied landscape architecture at the University of Sheffield. She’s now a Landscape Architect. ... more |
|
AIMEE BROUGHTON-BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ANALYSTAimmee Broughton completed her undergraduate and master’s degrees in physics at the University of Oxford. She is currently a business development analyst working for Centrica in the Netherlands. ... more |
|
ALEXANDER VAN HOLK-ASSOCIATE INVESTMENT BANKERAlexander van Holk did a BA in International Economics & Business and MSc in Finance at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands. He’s now an associate in the investment banking division of Morgan Stanley. ... more |
Graduate Advice
|
When it comes to religion in the workplace, know what you're entitled... more |
|
Why your age might be the best thing about you.... more |
|
The days of 'Don't ask, don't tell' are behind us. Employers are actively... more |
|
Real World now publishes the largest "Diversity" issue on campus, having... more |
Comments