Forces: Army
Victoria - Lt Col
"My advice to anyone lucky enough to get the opportunity to undertake the JP Morgan Chase Intern Programme is to 'just do it!' JP Morgan Chase is a global leader in financial services, offering solutions to the world's most important corporations, governments and institutions."
The JP Morgan Chase Intern Programme provided former Army barrister
Victoria with fantastic insights into the workings, behaviours and
breadth and depth of opportunities available within a multi-disciplined
global bank. The internship also provided a great platform to shape and
influence her future career."In Feb 17, after 16 years of Service in the British Army, I was at a
decision point; either I soldier on as a Lt Col and barrister in the
Adjutant General's Corps or I do something different. I gave the Army 12
months’ notice and embarked on a journey into the unknown. At the
time, I was bound by a number of constraints, the key one being that,
with two young sons and their ponies to educate and maintain, actual
retirement and gap years in Goa were not on the cards.
"Through
the MoD’s Career Transition Partnership (CTP), my mind was opened to the
potential of the corporate world and banking and finance in particular.
The attractions were the same ones that drew me to the British Army in
the first place: the opportunities for professional development and
personal mobility. JP Morgan Chase, for example, operates in over 100
countries and has offices throughout the world.
"During my
resettlement period, I visited numerous city institutions, wealth
management companies, banks and other financial bodies in order to
educate myself and understand more about the world I was planning to
enter. Many of the events I attended had been brought to my attention
through advertisements in the CTP newsletters and online through
LinkedIn. I used my Enhanced Learning Credits (ELCs) and some of my
resettlement time to complete the Investment Management Certificate
(IMC), a Level 4 qualification accredited by the Institute of Chartered
Financial Analysts which provides an excellent insight into the
financial environment and practice.
A large number of city
institutions run military intern programmes; some of them are unpaid and
designed to be undertaken during a service person's actual resettlement
period. As far as I was aware, the JP Morgan Chase programme was
unique in that it offered a paid internship that lasted for three months
and, in my case, its commencement date coincided with my last day of
Service; it felt as though the planets had finally aligned!
"The
JP Morgan Chase Intern Programme has provided me with fantastic insights
into the workings, behaviours and breadth and depth of opportunities
available within a multi-disciplined global bank. The internship also
provides a great platform to shape and influence one's future career.
"I
have been lucky enough to extend my internship for a further three
months. That has given me the time and space to finalise a number of
projects, develop my expertise and build my network. I have now decided
to pursue my career in financial services and banking (preferably with
JP Morgan Chase) in Sydney, Australia. Through the JP Morgan Chase
internal intranet and communications systems, I have already been able
to develop my network in Australia and I am currently in discussions
about some very exciting and challenging opportunities.
"My advice to anyone lucky enough to get the opportunity to undertake the JP Morgan Chase Intern Programme is to
'just do it!'
JP Morgan Chase is a global leader in financial services, offering
solutions to the world's most important corporations, governments and
institutions. Do not be disheartened or put off by some of the
stereotypes and words of 'friendly advice' out there: that city banking
is the preserve of retired Cavalry officers, is morally bankrupt and/or
dull. Certainly, my experience at JP Morgan Chase is that none of the
stereotypes apply; the firm and people are awesome."
Victoria Phillips, Corporate HR EMEA, JP Morgan Chase Internship Programme
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