Shadowing a Banker?

[DrVictoria]

OK, I am being somewhat presumptuous but no harm in asking...

I am currently on a career break spending some time seeing some of the world. When I return to the UK, which may not be for another 9 months or so, I am intending on changing my career. I am an electronic engineer but I wish to work in investment banking, an analyst type job.

Since I will be passing through one of the world's financial centres, I was wondering if there would be any possibility of seeing inside a bank and to make a few contact (to be blunt).

I am not looking for a job, more like just shadowing someone to see what their job involves. A day or a half day or as much or as little time as a banker could afford me - which I know may not be very much since banking is a rather 'busy' profession. Also I understand that banks have strict security which may also make this an unworkable idea.

I'll be arriving in HK on 6th Sept for at least 10 days. If anyone has any ideas on who I could approach in banking circles to see if this is possible, then your information and help is much appreciated.

Many thanks
Victoria

[Scott_Canada]

Hi Victoria,

I am also an Electrical Engineer looking for opportunities in corporate finance/ investment banking. I plan to return to Hong Kong in early 2007. It's funny how some engineers like us want to leave the engineering world and make a career change. I am also in the same situation as you are; that is; trying to find contacts.

Keep in touch,

Scott

[freeier]

well, i made the switch. after 7 years dealing with radars. 8-P

anyway, on the question. go apply to a bank for an internship.
no banker is going to let u shadow him/her for like even 1 hour... unless u are absolutely pretty and going around topless.. 8-P

so just write in and ask for maybe a 1-2 months internship. some places are willing to take u in to do some programming for them etc... then u find your chance to advance.

[Scott_Canada]

Hi Freeier,

I am also an engineer working with communication/ aerospace equipment.
It would be great if you can give me some insight to your experience:

Was it difficult for you to make the career switch to banking?
How did you approach the prospective employer with your background? Did they value your engineering background or did it take a lot of convincing on your part for them to hire you?

Hope to hear from you soon,

Scott

[DrVictoria]

Thanks for the replies.
I'm not sure if I'd actually be eligible for an internship anywhere - might be too old /left uni too long for that!

I guess when I make it back home I'll just be sending my cvs and rapping on the doors of the banks to see whether they will take me on.

BTW, I too would be interested in hearing about how easy the switch from engineer to banker was. My specialism is adative signal processing which is really a field of applied maths. I reckon there should be a good crossover for me - different application area. Can't of course find any good financial signal processing papers/documents/books as all the good stuff is kept 'secret'.

[freeier]

hi scott/victoria,

alot in switching career is about luck and about whether the market needs such a person. there are always areas that need people with strong engineering and mathematical skills.. like risk, middle office. etc. but those are the cost centers and of cos not 'attractive' as a banking job. but it would be a start for people used to be in engg field.

i was lucky myself as the market was starting to pick up after the long aftermath of the financial crisis. bite a bullet took some paycut and forgo the seniority in my previous job. i think stepping right into the investment banks as a mid career switch from engineering might not be that easy. occasionally we hear people managing to do that but its really one in ten thousands. sometimes try the local retail bank for a start.. u wld have your oppt to join the Ibanks as you are still young.

try to pick up basic option knowledge. john hull is always a good start. then see where your technical competency allows u to go towards. the really technical stuffs involving all the differential equations always need good ppl.. but again they are super boring in my view. 8-P u can find alot of the material in internet just goggle them.

anyway i dun recommend ppl to go corporate finance or IB. capital market is prob more interesting and vibrant. 8-)