Why do you enjoy your job?
I have been working alongside the Columbia Threadneedle Investments Oversight Team. Working within the back-office has given me exposure to fund launches, set-ups and in-species. As well as learning about the business, it has enabled me to work and develop my skills within the office and in a networking environment. The Investment20/20 scheme has given me a real insight into asset management and the investment industry. I am constantly eager to learn more about the business by talking to a variety of people around the office, attending meetings and regularly reading company material.
In my role, I am responsible for the transfer of cash between funds. I am also responsible for making sure there isn’t anything abnormal or out of place in the fund e.g. valuation, overdraft, FVP and Swing. Daily, I communicate with our fund accounting and custodian.
This position that I am in, is well suited to me as it has enabled me to understand how the funds work and function, as well as how and why they are changed.
What is the most challenging thing about your job?
Before starting the scheme, I was very apprehensive about starting and was very nervous about being a school leaver, with no office experience. I thought that my lack of office experience would put me at a disadvantage. However, I quickly realised how approachable everyone in the company was, which allowed me to learn very quickly, from others in the company. I find it interesting working in this fast-paced environment with people who have been in the business a long time. This combined with understanding how the office works day to day and more about the Back Office.
How did you get into your job?
I found the Investment20/20 scheme when looking for jobs in my final year at Sixth Form. I read through the companies and what it had to offer. Wanting to know more, I attended to a few of the open evening that were hosted. I applied for the Investment20/20 scheme wanting to learn more and get into the industry.
I started at Columbia Threadneedle in September, a month after receiving my exam results. Since starting, the scheme has enabled me to learn and develop new skills: working within a team, working towards deadlines and working in high pressure situations. Learning whilst working in the company has enabled to learn so much about the investment industry, in the short time that I have been here.
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