Adil spoke to our team about his career journey so far and his time as an intern on the Investment Credit Research team at Schroders this summer. Plus, he gave his top tips on the interview process and some reading recommendations that helped him get where he is today!
Tell us a bit about yourself
I'm from Nottingham and I studied Economics. I've graduated with a high 2:1, just short of a First class which is frustrating, but I'm proud of how I've dealt with this past year and a half, dealing with Covid and all of my studies being online.
In regards to my experience, I've done various internships within asset and wealth management with the likes of BlackRock and Barclays. I have also explored the public sector within HMRC and a 9 month placement with the NHS. I definitely used these opportunities to delve in to both the private and public sector. The beauty of being a student is that you can go to many places to get experiences as you're not tied down to a job so that's been very enlightening.
What stood out to you about Schroders?
Speaking to friends at Schroders who interned both here and at other firms, what really stood out to me was how approachable everyone is. The application process is challenging, but Schroders do support you. I reached out to people on LinkedIn and they were helpful, giving me advice on assessment centres and interviews. Regardless of the hierarchy of Schroders’ employees and regardless of how long they’ve been there - they are approachable and willing to speak with you and provide advice. Schroders want you to do well and this stood out to me.
What is the culture like at the firm?
The culture is amazing. Compared to my previous experiences elsewhere, I had a preconception that I wouldn’t be able to speak to anyone due to how senior and busy they would be. It was the complete opposite. Whilst everyone has different roles, everyone sits together. Schroders is very diverse and I have found that the employee turnover is lower compared to past experiences, with peoples' careers at Schroders spanning 20 years and more!
What would be your top tip to members going through the application process?
Be yourself. Let your true personality shine through. I battled with feeling like I needed to know all the technical, intricate details, however, you aren’t expected to know this pre application. I am still learning and have found that you will never stop learning in this industry. Don’t be afraid to not know something and to simply ask questions.
Have a genuine passion for the role. Make sure you work hard to prepare and have industry knowledge. I would recommend keeping up to date with financial news and reading materials that pertain to the industry (Adil’s reading recommendations are listed at the end of the article!).
What’s your favourite aspect of your role at Schroders so far?
My role is an Intern within the Investment Credit Research team. I have worked on two projects on the desk. The first involving the collection of data and key metrics for the telecommunications sector. The second involved me collecting internal and external data to assess whether there is any predictive power.
Further to this, as an intern cohort we were split Into groups and worked together to present to our line managers collectively. This looked at assessing important stakeholders within a sustainable business. I have really enjoyed both components of 'on the desk' work but also working with interns from different departments. It allowed me to network and get insights into different business areas.
Did Bright Network help you secure this role and, if so, how?
I didn’t apply through Bright Network however I used Bright Network to get previous interns' insights into companies and applications. I trust Bright Network as the advice is straight from the students' perspectives.
Anything else to add?
Not to stress out in the interview a lot of people forget this. You need to shine but also you need to find companies that fit you. You need to be able to see yourself enjoying the role and also the company. I would also recommend asking questions and branching, but not taking on too much that you can’t manage your deadlines. Use your internship as a two way interview and ensure you are a fit for the company but also vice versa.
Adil’s reading recommendations for researching the industry
- Narrative Economics; Robert Shiller
- Capital Returns: Investing Through the Cycle; Edward Chancellor
- Super Forecasting; Phil Tetlock & Dan Gardner
Keen to find out more about Schroders? View their profile here!