Quiz our panel of experts
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Do you think that the long hours and stress that City workers often endure are outrageous, or are they more than compensated for by the large salaries and bonuses on offer? Whether you are already working in the City or you are a graduate looking for career advice, we want to hear from you. To submit your questions to our panel, e-mail career@thetimes.co.uk. Questions and answers below. Debbie Harrison author of our Working in the City series, is a Senior Visiting Fellow at the Pensions Institute, Cass Business School, and the author of a wide range of financial books and reports. She is a consultant to major financial institutions and the Department for Works & Pensions. Polly Courtney is the author of Golden Handcuffs, the City-based novel that exposes the truth about life as a “high flyer” in London’s Square Mile. She joined the graduate scheme of a large US investment bank in 2002, having graduated from Cambridge with a first class degree in mechanical engineering. Much of her writing is based on her own experience Clare Harris has been with Lovells, a law firm, for nine years. She is responsible for attracting and selecting candidates to join the firm’s two-year training programme. Clare and her team also have HR responsibility for the firm’s 140 trainee solicitors as they go through the training programme. Hugh Karseras is the author of From New Recruit to High Flyer. He began his career in Deutche Bank, where he rose from analyst to associate in two years. He has an MBA from Harvard Business School. He has worked for McKinsey and Company in London and is now director in a leading investment bank. Q&As: I am currently studying for my A levels and in October I will be starting at either Durham or Bath to study combined social sciences. I have decided on social sciences as it allows me to spend three years studying the subjects that really interest me. After completing my degree I plan to study for the law conversion course and them try and get on a graduate recruitment scheme. I have consistently achieved highly throughout my academic history (ie, AAAA at AS) and believe i possess many of the skills required for a career in a competitive industry such as law. I would like to know what are my chances of being selected by a “magic circle” law firm or a reputable London law firm and which university do you think would give me the best chance of getting on a conversion course and future employment? Catherine McNally Clare Harris replies: The best advice I can give is to continue to achieve the good grades you are already achieving. Most City firms will be looking for people who consistently do well academically so A grades and a minimum of a 2.1 degree (or to be on target for this). Recruiters will also want to ensure that you are well-rounded in terms of extra-curricular activities and interests, so hobbies and activities where you really get involved and make a difference will useful. These will be personal to each individual but could include sports, drama, charity work, music, social services or community work or interesting work experience generally. The key is the level of involvement you can demonstrate and the contribution you make. Both universities mentioned rank well in the university league table and are certainly universities where City firms would recruit from. Durham does have a law faculty so it may be a little easier to access information from fellow law students or through their student law society. However, at the end of the day it’s important that you visit both universities, carefully assess the courses they offer and that you want to pursue and make your own decision about which you feel is the right place for you. If you continue to achieve the standards you are already meeting, both universities have a good reputation and will give you a sound basis to move on to your chosen career. |