If you are in your first year of a three-year or second year of a four-year degree and are particularly interested in banking, finance, consulting, trading or asset management, consider applying for spring week opportunities to boost your employability.
Expert insight: Over the past 15+ years, I’ve helped thousands of students and graduates land graduate-level jobs by identifying their skills, refining their CVs and coaching them to become interview confident. The graduates who stand the best chances of early career success are the ones who gain meaningful work experience during their time at university, this includes securing spring week opportunities.
Why Apply for Spring Weeks?
The graduate job market is fiercely competitive. Therefore, taking full advantage of opportunities like these right from the beginning of your degree will boost your chances of graduating with a job lined up.
A number of companies that hire graduates offer spring internships. These act as pre-internships. Graduate recruiters aim to build up a pipeline of the most promising students, well in advance of them graduating.
If you do well in your spring week, and demonstrate the skills and attributes the company looks for, you may be fast-tracked to interview for the summer internship. If you do well in the summer internship, you may then be offered a place on the graduate scheme.
There are only a limited number of places on graduate schemes at each company each year, so getting onto a spring week programme and subsequently being fast-tracked onto other opportunities can drastically improve your chances of securing a place on a competitive graduate scheme.
Spring Insight opportunities at Bulge Bracket Banks
A bulge bracket refers to the largest and most prestigious investment banks in the world. These firms typically operate on a global scale, offering a wide range of financial services such as investment banking, sales and trading, asset management, and research. Examples of bulge brackets include: Goldman Sachs, UBS, Credit Suisse, Bank of America and Citi Group.
Securing a graduate role at a bulge bracket bank is a dream for many aspiring finance professionals, given these institutions’ global reputation, diverse career paths, and attractive compensation packages. However, landing a role at one of these companies is not easy. A spring insight can give you an advantage as if you do well, you may get fast-tracked for summer internships in your second year which could open up opportunities for graduate schemes.
JP Morgan Chase
JP Morgan Chase is an American multinational financial services firm, headquartered in New York.
JP Morgan Chase offers a Spring Insight programme with pathways tailored to Technology, Corporate & General Management, and Wholesale Banking.
In the programme, you’ll gain first-hand insights from everyone from analysts to managing directors.
Application Tip: in your application demonstrate excellent communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills.
If you do well during the insight you may be fast-tracked for summer internship interviews.
Deutsche Bank Spring into banking
Deutsche Bank’s four-day Spring into Banking programme provides students with a thorough introduction to the banking and finance sector. You’ll explore the various divisions of Deutsche Bank, understand how financial markets function, and network with professionals at all levels, from Analysts to senior management, creating valuable connections and building your network.
The programme features shadowing experiences, interactive workshops, and skill-building sessions focusing on networking, presenting, and interviewing. With speaker panels, mentoring groups, and practical activities, you’ll get a firsthand look at the banking world.
Barclays Discovery Programme
The Discovery Diversity Programme is an opportunity available to all students who are two years from graduation. This two-day insight programme allows students from underrepresented groups to explore career opportunities at Barclays.
You’ll learn all about Barclays and get the opportunity to complete assessments to be considered for summer internships.
Bank of America Spring Insight
Bank of America offers a global investment banking program. The program is designed to showcase the wide range of careers available in an investment bank from Corporate Banking to Sales & Trading to Technology. This program could lead to the opportunity to be fast-tracked for a summer internship the following year.
Application tip: demonstrate a genuine interest in financial markets and your aptitude for problem-solving, leadership and teamwork.
UBS Spring Insight program
UBS offers a spring insight program that places emphasis on helping you to make an informed decision about your career. You’ll gain business-specific knowledge, professional skills training and networking opportunities.
Morgan Stanley Spring Insight Week
The Morgan Stanley Spring Insight Week is a program designed for undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in the financial services industry. The program typically lasts for one week and offers students an opportunity to learn about Morgan Stanley’s business lines and culture, as well as the financial services industry as a whole.
During the program, students may attend workshops, seminars, and presentations on various topics such as investment banking, sales and trading, wealth management, and technology. They may also have the opportunity to meet with Morgan Stanley professionals and network with other participants in the program.
The Morgan Stanley Spring Insight program is highly competitive, and interested students typically need to apply through the company’s website. Applicants are typically required to submit a CV and a cover letter, and may also need to complete online assessments and interviews.
Participating in the Morgan Stanley Spring Insight program can be a valuable experience for students who are interested in a career in the financial services industry, as it can help them develop their skills, knowledge, and network. It can also give them a better understanding of Morgan Stanley’s business and culture, and help them determine if the company is a good fit for their career goals.
If you are interested in the career opportunities at Morgan Stanley and would like to explore more during your Easter break, this may be a good opportunity for you.
Citi | Spring week programme
The spring week programme at Citi is comprised of skills sessions, team projects, networking, shadowing, interviews and more.
Following the spring insight at Citi, candidates who demonstrate the qualities sought after by the firm will be fast-tracked to attend an assessment centre for the summer internship.
Spring Insight opportunities at Elite Boutiques
An Elite Boutique (EB) is a category of investment bank that specialises in high-end advisory services, mainly focused on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), strategic advisory, and capital raising. Unlike bulge bracket banks, elite boutiques typically do not offer the full range of financial services, such as sales and trading or retail banking.
Evercore spring week programme
The Evercore spring week has been designed to give you hands-on experience of what a career at Evercore could look like. You’ll learn about the firm and understand how an investment bank works.
During the spring week at Evercore, you will do skills workshops, group activities, work shadowing, networking and CV and interview workshops.
Rothschild Spring Week
Rothschild & Co is a global investment bank and financial advisory firm that offers various programs and opportunities for students and graduates to gain experience and learn more about the industry.
Rothschild’s spring week programme gives candidates an insight into their different divisions and will allow them to become fully immersed in life at Rothschild & Co.
Spring Insight Opportunities at Middle Market Banks
A Middle Market Investment Bank (MM) serves clients that fall between the small businesses targeted by regional boutique banks and the large corporations handled by bulge bracket banks. These firms cater primarily to mid-sized companies, providing advisory services for mergers and acquisitions (M&A), capital raising, and financial restructuring.
BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas is a French multinational bank. They offer a one-week Spring insight programme for forward-thinking students interested in a career in banking. Through attending workshops, presentations and networking sessions, you’ll get a feel for what it’s like to work at a leading investment bank.
HSBC UK Insight programme
Interested in graduate opportunities in the banking industry?
The HSBC four-day insight program will give you the opportunity to network, show your skills in case study activities and to learn more about an area you are interested in most. This experience will help you to determine whether a career in banking is right for you.
Candidates from all degree backgrounds are welcome. In your application, showcase your diverse range of skills and perspectives.
Nomura | Explore Nomura Programme
Nomura offers a four-day programme for students in their first year of s three-year degree, or second year of a four-year degree. The programme offers a unique insight into the career opportunities at a leading investment bank.
On the Nomura spring week, you’ll learn more about the following three divisions: Investment Banking, Global Markets and Corporate Infrastructure.
Find out more about the student opportunities at Nomura
Macquarie | Insight programme
Macquarie offers a four-day programme designed to immerse students into the financial sector.
On the programme, you will attend networking sessions and skills-based sessions, get work shadowing opportunities, attend panel discussions and more.
Asset Management Spring Insight opportunities
Asset Management involves managing investments on behalf of clients to achieve their financial goals. These clients can range from individual investors and families to institutions such as pension funds, corporations, governments, and non-profits. Asset managers develop tailored investment strategies, balancing risk and return to meet their clients’ objectives.
Fidelity Spring Insight Programme
Fidelity offers a three-day event, that shares insights into career opportunities in global asset management. During the programme, you’ll attend workshops, participate in a stock-picking case study and network with industry professionals.
Application tip: Showcase your genuine motivation for the company and asset management. Demonstrate your communication and analytical skills.
BlackRock Spring Insight Event – EMEA
Are you an ambitious student looking to gain hands-on experience in the world of finance and technology? The BlackRock Spring Insight Programme is designed to give you an immersive insight into business areas via shadowing, taking part in a group project and networking. Find out more at BlackRock careers.
Piper Sandler – London
Interested in launching your graduate career in Investment banking?
The 3-day program at Piper Sandler will provide you with networking experiences
complemented by engaging workshops and immersive case studies. So if you’ve got a keen interest in business and finance and have an analytical mind, find out more about Piper Sandler’s Early careers. If you do well on the 3 day programme you may be fast-tracked for the summer analyst opportunity.
Aviva Investors
The Aviva Spring Week is a program designed for university students who are interested in pursuing a career in the insurance industry. The program typically lasts for one week and offers students an opportunity to learn about Aviva’s business lines, culture, and career opportunities.
During the Aviva Spring Week, students may attend presentations, workshops, and networking events with Aviva professionals from various departments, including underwriting, risk management, finance, and marketing. They may also have the opportunity to participate in a case study or project, which can give them hands-on experience and insight into Aviva’s business.
The spring insight opportunity has been designed to give students an insight into the world of asset management.
To apply for the spring week opportunity at Aviva Investors, you will need to submit your CV, complete an online situational judgement test and complete a telephone interview.
Jefferies Investment banking spring week programme
The spring week at Jefferies is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in banking. It is aimed at students in their first year of university or their second year of a four-year degree.
On the programme, you’ll gain professional skills training, work shadowing experience, the opportunity to attend networking events and more.
Big4 Spring Insights
The Big 4 refers to the four largest professional services firms in the world that specialize in audit, tax, consulting, and advisory services. These firms are globally renowned for their expertise and serve a wide range of clients, including multinational corporations, governments, and non-profits.
The Big 4 are:
- Deloitte
- PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
- Ernst & Young (EY)
- KPMG
Spring into Deloitte
The spring week at Deloitte is a two-day course for those interested in pursuing a career in professional services.
Consulting spring weeks
Consulting Spring Weeks are short-term, immersive programs offered by top consulting firms for first-year university students (or second-year students on a four-year degree program). These programs provide an introduction to the consulting industry, helping students gain a clearer understanding of what a consulting career entails and how they can prepare for it.
McKinsey & Company Discover
Discover is a two-day event that will give you the chance to work alongside McKinsey consultants and mentors to gain an insight into case studies, develop your skills and to network.
Application tip: demonstate your interest in pursuing a career in consulting and showcase your problem solving and creative thinking skills.
Why Spring weeks are so important
In this video, Afzal Hussein explains why it is so important to get a place on a spring week.
He highlights that getting a place on a spring week and successfully completing one puts you in a natural recruitment funnel, increasing your chances of getting onto a summer internship and graduate scheme.
Afzal Hussein YouTube
Everything You Need to Know About Spring Weeks
Spring weeks are typically short-term internship programs offered by companies in the UK to first-year university students. These programs are designed to give students a glimpse into a particular industry or company and offer them the opportunity to gain some experience and develop their skills.
Spring weeks are usually one or two weeks long and take place during the Easter break. They typically include a combination of work experience, training, and networking opportunities.
The purpose of spring weeks is to give students a taste of what it’s like to work in a particular industry or company and help them make informed career decisions. It also allows companies to identify talented students who may be suitable for future internships or graduate roles.
Spring Week Application Advice from our Experienced Graduate Coaches
Start by thoroughly researching the firm and understanding its culture, values, and the industries it operates in. Before you begin your application, make sure the opportunity is something you are genuinely interested in. Don’t just apply because your peers are applying. Ask yourself: are you genuinely interested in pursuing a career in this field? If yes, read on.
Tailor your application by aligning your skills, experiences, and aspirations with what the company is looking for, ensuring your CV and cover letter reflect these connections clearly. Highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and any relevant work experience, focusing on transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Pay close attention to the application questions—answer them concisely and authentically, emphasizing what makes you unique.
Finally, don’t overlook the importance of proofreading your application; attention to detail shows professionalism and care. Submit your application early to stand out in a competitive pool, and prepare to shine in follow-up assessments or interviews!
How we can help you
Here at Graduate Coach we help students, graduates and career changers to turn their degrees into careers and reach their full career potential.
If you need some help or guidance with your spring week applications, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We also offer one-to-one career coaching, interview coaching, online courses and more.
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