GUEST COMMENT: I had the misfortune to graduate in 2008 and am now trapped in a rubbish job

15 December 2010

2 minute read

GUEST COMMENT: I had the misfortune to graduate in 2008 and am now trapped in a rubbish job

Hi I graduated in 2008 having studied Economics at a top 10 university and achieved a 2.1 classification.

I was unable to find a traditional graduate scheme, so took a job with UBS in an operations function (derivatives docs/reporting) and was there for 18 months.

I loved the job and it gave me great experience. However, UBS wanted to outsource my role. Therefore, I left for another graduate scheme at a massive finance firm where I've now been working for 6 months.

I hate this job and have had a few medical issues which meant I failed some or the internal exams (the company showed no flexibility)/ They have also announced that some of us may not go onto the next rotations as the business is cutting headcount.

Therefore, come February I could be out of a job and I don't know what to do.

I don't want to do another graduate training scheme and am looking at operations roles on companies' websites. However, I can't seem to find anything as they all ask for specific experience. I'm part CFA qualified and am flexible regarding both job and industry. I'd really appreciate some advice.

This article is adapted from a Question in our answers area.

AUTHORAnonymous

Insider Comment

De
Desperate headhunter
17 December 2010
This is a wonderfully uplifting story of how , when faced with adversity, the strength of the human spirt takes over. You must pick yourself up, dust yourself off...
...and join the queue made up of all those lost souls wondering what the hell you are doing with your life!
Welcome to the real world!!
PS when you are bored of queuing give me a call.... number on application
or if you are feeling really brave?... go off and fight in Afghanistan for a few years. That should cheer you up
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Ew
Ewan
16 December 2010
ermm what the heck is part CFA qualified?? If you are a CFA candidate you should know that your either completely qualified, exam qualified rr a CFA candidate......theres no such thing as part qualified.
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Re
Reality
16 December 2010
The simple answer is you are clueless and suck. I graduated in 2008 with zero internships/experience. After extreme focus for nearly 3 years, and 100s of applications, 10s of interviews, and daily networking/searching, i'm about to start in the FO at a T1 hedge fund. Stop making excuses - decide what you want to do, and pursue it relentlessly.
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An
Anon
16 December 2010
Sarah, this is not fair, u cudnt manage ur daily quote of 5 stories, so u took a shortcut of publishing a sad story .. next time just tell us how difficult is it to manage 5 stories a day and we would of course understand ..
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An
Anon
16 December 2010
stop cribbing .. there are plenty of people who started way before you and had to switch roles during the crisis 3-4 times .. some are still sitting unemployed .. times have changed so stop moaning ..
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