Francesca developed her passion for mathematics from a young age, fascinated by the way it can relate to all aspects of life. She knew that Reading was the right fit for her after visiting the Department of Mathematics and Statistics on an Open Day, and enrolled on the BSc Mathematics (3 years) programme. It wasn’t until Francesca entered her second year that she decided to integrate a year in industry during her third year of study, transitioning to BSc Mathematics with a Placement Year (4 years).
Dedicated support
At Reading, our dedicated placements team can provide support and advice to enable you to find your ideal job role. You will have the opportunity to take advantage of the detailed support offered throughout the whole process.
“I received a lot of support from within the University. I was helped by Claire Newbold, the Employability Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, when applying for placements. As well as helping me find jobs to apply for, she also helped me when writing my CV and cover letters, practising interview techniques and kept me motivated throughout the process - I could not be more grateful for her much needed encouragement!”
The perfect fit
Francesca began applying for placements in September and received an offer from Morgan Stanley in January, where she went on to complete her industry year on their Sales and Trading Internship.
“I had the best year at Morgan Stanley! It was really exhilarating working on the trading floor of one of the world's most prestigious investment banks. Being in a market-facing role was exciting, I was able to see global news affecting my day-to-day work, which really brought the role to life. My role as a Hedge Fund Account Manager within Prime Brokerage allowed me to communicate with a variety of different people across the breadth of the company and the wider industry.”
This experience has enabled Francesca to excel in productivity and efficiency by being surrounded by an inspiring professional working environment.
“I worked alongside a very committed team, which I found extremely motivating. They were an incredible group of people that truly broadened my horizons. Coming back into my final year, I feel more driven than ever, knowing what is out there after university. I believe I am in a far better mindset than in my first or second year.”
With hard work comes great reward
Francesca feels strongly that adding a year in industry to your degree can help set you apart from your peers, build your network of contacts and increase your career prospects in a very competitive job market.
“I was lucky enough to secure a graduate job offer from my placement year, so I will be returning to Morgan Stanley in July as a full-time Institutional Equities Analyst, something I am extremely excited about.
“This is another incredible perk of completing a placement year. A lot of companies tend to hire their placement students, so you could return to university in your final year with a job already lined up for when you finish. This really helps take the pressure off in final year so you can focus on your studies rather than having to apply for jobs at the same time.
“The process of finding an industrial placement can be extremely tough, but with hard work comes great reward. Completing a placement year has genuinely changed my life. I am thoroughly grateful that the University encouraged me to do one and I encourage all future students to do the same.”