Max Copestake

University:
Newcastle

Degree Subject:
Chemistry

Desk:
Gas/Commodites

I choose to apply to an internship at ICAP because interdealer broking as it is at the very centre of the financial markets. It's where it all happens and if you are lucky enough to have a career in this area you will get to spend time in a fast-moving, energetic environment where every second really does count.

During my desk rotations I received a huge amount of support from all levels: from recent graduates to heads of desks to, managing directors. Everyone took an interest in what we were doing and went to great lengths to ensure we finished our rotation with a complete understanding of the job and the products.

We had two main team building event one consisting of and apprentice style 'blag it' competition for charity and the other a archery competition. Both of these events were great fun and took us out of the office environment and into different social situations to see how we performed.

My most challenging experience during the internship was being asked to build an options programme, which could read live option prices and pick up the money options from Bloomberg. This was a massive project especially as I come from a science background and my options knowledge isn't so strong. With the help of brokers on my desk and

others brokers who took an interest from other desks I was able to build the program me which with a little tweaking will be sent out to clients in the near future.

I have had a few internships with banks and I can say that the support from all the brokers and graduate recruitment team at ICAP was second to none. You are never left along wondering what to do for a second. From the moment you walk in the door to the second you leave it is go, go, go!

Sporting interests can be a big help in this industry. A lot of both clients and brokers play and watch sport and it offers the best time to chat and meet people in a more informal environment.