My name is Reshab Siddique, and I am a third-year BAEcon Accounting and Finance student at The University of Manchester.

Applying to university, I was interested in a corporate career with a strong mathematical focus. I explored several areas, including engineering and business, but found myself increasingly drawn to business-related fields. I chose Manchester because of the reputation of the course and the positive experiences shared by alumni. Hearing how the BA Economics degrees had shaped their careers ten years after graduation helped me feel confident that Manchester was the right place for me.

Exploring my career options during my degree

BAEcon Accounting and Finance offers broad exposure to different career pathways and is designed with employability in mind. Many academics and teaching assistants have direct industry experience, which helped us understand the range of sectors available after graduation. Their insight extended beyond the Big Four and London-based roles, introducing us to smaller organisations and different workplace cultures that could suit our interests and career goals. We also heard from guest lecturers working in industry, including asset and audit managers, who shared what their organisations do and what their roles involve.

Speaking to lecturers after class and during office hours was also valuable. When I mentioned that I had an interview for an HSBC internship, one lecturer explained that he had previously worked as a recruiter there. He gave me practical interview advice and suggested contacts who could help me build connections before starting.

Securing an internship

In my first year, I visited the Careers Service for advice on finding internships. They directed me to CareerConnect, the University’s platform for current students, where internships and spring weeks are advertised. I applied to several opportunities and completed three internships at the end of my first year. This helped me understand what different companies stood for and whether the roles matched my interests. The Careers Service also supported me with applications and interviews, including tailored mock interviews and feedback to help me improve.

My first internship was a three-day placement with KPMG’s audit team in London. It helped me realise that audit was not the right path for me. My second and third internships, with NatWest and HSBC, were in commercial banking, which I enjoyed much more. These experiences helped me compare organisations and think more clearly about where I could see myself in the future.

Converting an experience to further opportunities

One of the biggest advantages of these early opportunities was the possibility of converting them into summer internships and, later, graduate schemes. This can significantly reduce the competition, as the company already knows you have passed its assessments and understands your potential. A summer internship also gives you a deeper insight into working life, different teams and the tasks you may be expected to complete.

I converted all my internships into summer opportunities but chose to continue with HSBC because it was the experience I enjoyed most. That internship later converted into a graduate scheme, meaning I had secured a graduate role by the end of my second year.

Internship tasks and key skills

My internship tasks varied across teams within commercial banking, giving me insight into how different departments collaborate. One of the most memorable tasks was assessing clients’ creditworthiness. This involved reviewing business accounts, identifying concerns such as falling profit margins or rising expenses, and considering the wider context behind the figures. For example, a difficult year may have been caused by a lawsuit or another one-off event. This analysis helped determine whether a business was suitable for lending. I also supported a manager with straightforward client queries.

Employers understand that students are still developing technical expertise, so they often focus on transferable skills such as leadership, organisation and communication. These skills are developed throughout the degree, particularly through group projects, where students must manage responsibilities and work together to meet deadlines.

My graduate role

I will be joining HSBC as a Graduate Commercial Banking Analyst. The role involves supporting businesses, from large organisations such including high-street brands to start-ups, with cash flow and working capital. This includes helping businesses manage payments to suppliers and employees, particularly when they operate on a credit basis. One way this is done is by purchasing receivables, providing the business with most of the value upfront while the bank retains a percentage and receives repayment later.

One exciting part of the graduate programme is the induction. Graduates from global branches will spend the first two weeks in China for banking training, helping everyone build a shared foundation regardless of their academic background.

Advice for students

The course can be challenging, but it is a marathon, not a sprint. You are studying over three years, and one setback will not define your outcome. Focus on learning from each experience and moving forward.

For your career, I would recommend exploring internships and seeking advice as early as possible. Early experience can help you build confidence, improve your applications and learn what type of work suits you best.

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