European Investment Banks Education and Training
Get the education necessary to find a job at an investment bank in Europe
Employees at investor banks in Europe make important financial decisions every day. They must know about finance, trading, investments and returns in the European and global marketplace. On top of all of this, they should be able to communicate in English and at least one or two common European languages such as French, Spanish or German.If you have your heart set on a career in one of these banks, you'll have to obtain the education and training you need to do your job right. It may sound like a lot to learn, but the time you spend getting a proper education will pay off in the long run. For European investment banks education and training, consider the following:
1. Seek out a college degree, since the Europe investment bank you apply at will be looking for this on your resume.
2. Try to participate in an internship program. Potential employers at Europe investment banks look quite favorably upon applicants with this experience.
3. Become fluent in a second language. The European Union is a melting pot, and anyone working at an investor bank in Europe should know at least one other common language.
Earn a degree to familiarize yourself with Europe investment banking
The vast majority of these banks want their applicants to have at least a Bachelor's degree. A Master's of Business Administration (MBA) is also looked upon favorably. Generally, the best degrees to get are those in business administration, finance or even law. If you can find a program that specializes in international banking or investment, that's an even better choice.
Try: Find a program that suits you by using CUnet. The University of Florida offers a flexible online MBA program as well as an online Bachelor's of Business Administration. See if any of the international business programs at WorldWideLearn interest you.
Take advantage of internships to learn investment banking in Europe
Quite a few post-secondary schools offer internship programs. Whether your school offers internships or not, you should try to find an internship to gain real-life experience. Most internships are designed for graduates who want to get more experience in the field before starting their careers.
Try: Consider the internships available at the European Investment Bank; its headquarters is located in Luxembourg but it has branches all over the European Union. Also consider the Mountbatten Institute, which offers a unique year-long internship in London. If you'd rather stay in the States, perhaps the financial internship with the European Union (in Washington, D.C.) is best for you.
Study a foreign language before applying for jobs at European investment banks
If you want to work in Europe, you'll need to know at least one other language. Research has shown that the best way to learn a foreign language is through immersion: Putting yourself in a situation where you have no choice but to learn the language. This helps you learn vocabulary in context, and by interacting with fluent speakers, you'll learn the proper way to phrase your sentences and develop an authentic accent.
Try: Take the opportunity to study abroad in Paris through Global Learning Semesters or check out other opportunities at the Institute of International Education. If you can't afford a program like this, find a study program at AcademicInfo.
- To find out what specific banks want as far as specialized education, trying making a list of investment banks in Europe and then looking up their web sites. You can browse through open positions and see if they require any special training. You can use your list to check off banks as you go so you don't waste time retracing your steps.
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