Stanislav Andreev
Degree Subject: Economics / International Relations
As a sophomore, I was extremely eager to experience the financial industry but had only limited opportunities to do so. ICAP's Industry Insight Programme was an extraordinary chance to not only learn a lot but gain some practical experience on a desk. Prior to the program, I was attracted to the world of interdealer broking because of the dynamics and level of engagement each working day provides. In wanting to learn more about it, I chose to apply to ICAP's Industry Insight programme because of the company's unmatched expertise and range of products.
The program consisted of three parts: an interactive and informative finance training, an opportunity to shadow brokers from different desks, and a group project to summarize our findings from the week. Each of these parts required quick thinking and learning and altogether they provided me with a surprisingly deep and broad overview of the industry.
Undoubtedly, the economic crisis made internships in the financial industry much more competitive and long-term career opportunities much more limited. However, I still believe motivated and prepared graduates will be able to find a position within the industry because of its sheer size and scope, so my career plans have not been altered significantly by the current climate.
To my surprise, everyone I had the chance to meet was extremely welcoming and ready to take time off his/her busy schedule to explain the specifics of his/her work and involve me in it. Even for only a few days, I felt like part of a team and that was both surprising and remarkable for me.
As most college students, I have wide-ranging interests and participate in quite a few student activities. Some of them, such as my involvement with the Investment Club and the Career Office on campus, are directly related to my primary career interest and provide me with some of the knowledge and tools I need to be able to pursue a future career. Some of my other interests, such as languages, film, and tennis, do not relate to any specific career but will surely be helpful in any auxiliary work-related activities, such as meetings with clients, for example.
I was thrilled to participate in the two shadowing sessions as they gave me a live feel of the interdealer broker world and provided me with the chance to interact extensively with brokers and learn an incredible amount about their work. However, I also really enjoyed the final project because it gave me the opportunity to get to know my fellow participants in the program and spend time towards achieving a common goal. Seeing how our effort and cooperation produce good results during our final presentation was both fascinating and rewarding.
