By Shivani P and Florence C, Year 12

On the 27th and 28th of October, we both went to the Morgan Stanley office in Canary Wharf to participate in the Step In Step Up: Women’s Insight Into Banking Programme.

To take part in this incredible opportunity, we were asked to create a CV of our accomplishments and a short Cover Letter highlighting why we want to do banking and why this programme would be useful to us. We were lucky enough to be selected out of 300 applicants onto the programme. During the two days we completed a series of interesting tasks such as a Million Dollar ‘Dragon’s Den’ style investment pitch to industry professionals (where Florence’s group won best overall with their product of a shower head that reduces water loss!) as well as workshops on future job applications and internships.

Furthermore, we had the opportunity to network with Morgan Stanley employees, many of whom had taken part in the Step In Step Up programmes when they were in Year 12. They gave us an insight into their day to day lives and their career path. On day one, we heard talks from people in a variety of departments such as Equity research, Global Capital Markets, Sales and Trading, Mergers and Acquisitions and Investment Banking. Then, on day two, we heard from a panel of women who were part of an alumni and junior talent group, many who had done the Step In Step Up programme when they were our age. They answered questions, offered advice and spoke to us about their experience working at Morgan Stanley. Our favourite part of the two day programme was an inspirational talk from Madeleine Moor Larson (VP Fixed income division) as well as a workshop with Janine Elton on building a personal brand and the importance of first impressions. We both found it extremely interesting to see the staff’s day to day life (less thrilling was the 6am start we were told they had!) and meeting loads of new friends from schools all over the UK.

Overall it was a great experience and we would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in a career in banking or to those who just want an idea about jobs in a corporate environment.