Students get chance to shine in the city
Two LSBU students are gaining a valuable insight into what it takes to become successful in the city after embarking on a prestigious mentoring scheme to improve their employability.
LSBU student Cristina Conea is on a prestigious mentoring scheme
They have been learning about life at the sharp end of the asset management industry, with a leading international player.
The duo have been developing their skills in areas such as financial knowledge, business acumen and networking, as part of the BlackRock Buddy Initiative.
And that could unlock an opportunity for them to be accepted on the company's highly sought-after internship programme in the future.
LSBU's Lisa Buys, a Business Studies student, and Cristina Conea, who is studying Professional Accounting, were among 10 students from several London institutions to successfully gain placements.
They were accepted after impressing company representatives during three gruelling interviews - and were whittled down from around 30 shortlisted applicants.
They have experienced different divisions of the company, including risk and quantitative analysis, marketing, and business operations during their time on the scheme.
Lisa said: "I have focused on learning as much as possible about the industry - the key benefits have included the opportunity to shadow what everyone does and lots of one-to-one access with my mentor."
Cristina said: "I have learnt a lot about the importance of team culture in a big organisation and how much individual knowledge and skills are valued."
Both students are now planning on applying for an internship with the company, which would take place next summer.
Lisa said: "Those on the BlackRock Buddy Initiative have about a 60% greater chance of getting an internship."
Cristina added: "This has been a really good experience and a chance to carve out a good future. I will do my best to get an internship in the company."
Louise Jones, a Placement Officer with the Employability and Careers Service at LSBU, said: "The scheme sees the company work with first year undergraduate students with a view to inspiring them about city careers early in their degree and working with them to develop competencies that will help them in this career path.
"BlackRock have been very positive about the scheme and hopefully this will lead to ongoing partnership working with our university."
Posted: 6th June 2012
