Insight programme Review

I thought the insight day was fantastic. All aspects of the day were great for learning and development. Some of the day's itinuary included several rounds of a trading exercise, various talks from employees of all seniorities (these weren't as boring as it may sound - the speakers were very engaging), networking sessions, upskilling sessions.

Eventhough the programme was very brief, the employees treated us very well, providing advice as often as they could. As I am a fairly shy individual, I sat aside during lunch, however the Director of Fixed Income noticed and joined me. The company have a very flat management structure hence you're able to collaborate and network with everyone.

There were many opportunities to speak and network with employees of all seniorities from the organisation such as during the networking lunch as well as the Q&A employee panelist which included Senior Directors and Placement Students. They all provided great counsil and advice on all aspects of professional life within Asset Management and Finance as a whole.

The main upskilling sessions were the trading exercises where we had to read, analyse and react to various reports and news regarding many fictional companies. As I am a finance/economics student much of this wasn't very challenging hence these sessions weren't as effective for me as it may have been for student studying a degree outside of the financial realm.

As I touched upon previously, the day was very well structured. Proir to the programme a detailed itinuary was emailed to us and the day ran according. Some of the day's itinuary included several rounds of a trading exercise, various talks from employees of all seniorities, networking sessions, upskilling sessions.

The atmosphere was generally very cohesive. There was around 40 other students from many different universities around the UK, we all got on very well especially because we all shared the same interest within the financial sector. The employees that we had the chnace to speak to were brilliant also. They all provided great counsil and advice on all aspects of professional life within Asset Management and Finance as a whole.

There were many opportunities to speak with employees at both a formal (panellist interview) and informal (networking lunch) capacity. During the 50 minute lunch break we had the opportunity to speak with many employees at all seniorities. There were many employees from the various departments hence giving us the ability to gain a closer insight into all career paths at the organisation.

Absolutely. It was a very busy yet structured day, which offered great exposure and insight into the asset management sector, the organisation and various departments and roles offered at M&G investments. Additionally, it also allowed me to meet other students from all over the country who attain the same enthusiasm and will for pursing a career in banking and finance.

Though it was a single day event, all attendees were offered a reimbursement of their expenses. Which was mainly transport fees. As a London student, my transport expense was only £5. However, there were many students from across the UK who perhaps better appreciated this, especially those who travelled from Scotland. Additionally, lunch was provided which catered for all dietary requirements.

Throughout the day, there were sessions which catered towards providing an insight into full time roles, duties and tasks. Particularly during the employee panellist session, the employees from each departments gave a thorough run down of their typical day which definitely allowed me to understand which divisions/business area I would most enjoy working amongst.

The day definitely provided a great insight to the Asset Management sector and the need for its existence. Additionally, for those students who perhaps didn't come from an academic background in Finance/banking, it provided a good understanding about the banking sector and roles hence exposing the career paths not only in asset management but in the wider banking sector too.