Careers in Finance
Alternative Routes to a Degree
I joined KPMG through the STAR Programme. This is
an opportunity of a year’s paid work experience at
one of the ‘big four’ professional services firms. The
STAR Programme is structured so that you rotate
around the three key areas of the firm: Audit, Tax and
Advisory, gaining different business skills in each area
and making you a rounded individual ready for any
career path. The grade requirements are BCC. So far
I have spent time in all of these areas. You can tailor
your experience to interests, so if you want to spend
more time in one department than the other, you can.
The main benefit of the STAR Programme is that it
allows you to network throughout the firm and with
clients, which has enabled me to be offered a place on
the Audit School Leaver Programme next year.
Ollie Brant (02-09) and his father, Mark, came into
School in May to talk to sixth formers about careers
in the financial services sector. Ollie works as a
financial advisor for York-based financial and wealth
management firm Network Ventures, where Mark
is also the Principal. As a result of the meeting, the
company took two students on work experience
placements over the summer. Ollie also met with Jack
Ratcliff (04-09) to try and help with his placement
year for his degree in Finance and Investment
Management.
Tom Axup (96-07), Jonny Chu (08-12) and Ollie
Brant all offered to speak to a fifth year pupil
interested in a career in investment management
or stockbroking. This really helped the pupil to
understand more about the routes into this type of
career and whether it is really something he would
like to pursue.Tom moved jobs in July and now works
in asset management at Goldman Sachs, whilst Jonny
graduated in July with a 1st class honours degree in
economics from Warwick University and started fulltime at the investment bank Lazard in the summer,
having previously done a 10-week internship will
them, as well as insights with other banks.
Careers in Architecture
Max Los (98-09) has been helping a fifth form
pupil who is considering a career in architecture.
Maddie, who recently moved into the sixth form at
Pocklington, was able to visit Max at his firm’s office in
York over the Easter holidays and the meeting really
helped her to make an informed decision in regard
to her A-level subject choices. Max was also able to
arrange a few days’ work experience at Tata Steel for
her over the summer. As well as attending meetings,
she learnt how to use architecture software package
Revit and then worked on a project to design a
kiosk. Maddie commented: “I am very grateful for
my work experience at Tata Steel. In the work area
everyone was very friendly and helped me a lot. I
am also grateful to Max for giving up his time for me
and giving me first-hand advice about architecture. I
think the OP network is a great idea; not only does it
provide a