I Got Hired: Cameron

Posted on: 19 September 2024 by Richard Finch in Class of 2023

Cameron Phillips is a Class of 2023 Geography graduate who now works as a Commercial Banking Graduate Analyst at HSBC.

How did you hear about your role and decide to apply for it?

I completed an internship with HSBC in the summer of my penultimate year of study and received an offer onto their Commercial Banking Graduate Scheme.

I found the internship by pursuing personal research and applied because I have an interest in business and finance and wanted to explore this.

How did you get to where you are now?

During Sixth Form, I worked part-time in various customer service roles. Additionally, I worked full-time during my 1st and 2nd year of university and part-time in my 3rd year. This diverse experience allowed me to bring valuable expertise to the recruitment process.

The application process included pre-recorded video interviews and online assessments, culminating in an assessment centre with small interviews involving senior stakeholders. Following the completion of an internship with the company, I was fortunate to be offered a position in the scheme before commencing my final year of study.

Your favourite experience as part of your role?

The best part of my role is getting to work closely with customers and get an in depth understanding of their business’ performance through analysing financial information.

The most challenging part of your graduate journey?

Coming from a non-financial background, I faced a steep learning curve when I started. It was initially difficult to find time to prioritise learning about finance and to identify the best sources for learning. Additionally, the program requires national mobility, so I have relocated within the UK three times in the past year, which has presented its own set of challenges.

Top 3 Tips for current students and graduates.

  1. Find something you have a genuine passion for.
  2. Be engaged, remain curious, and do not shy away from being the first to ask a question.
  3. Expand your professional network and leverage it.

 
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