Mimi Abudu
I knew I wanted to go into banking since around year 10 and I had my eyes set on going into one of the top American Investment Banks. I planned to do the conventional route: to do a spring week, then a summer internship and then the graduate scheme, but my path was very different to that.

I started studying management at a highly regarded London university in 2016. I neither loved it nor hated it, I just felt like I was not meant to be there and my time could be better well spent. I knew I did not want to be in that environment at that time and I decided that I would start working. After running around looking for jobs like a headless chicken, I came to the conclusion that I could only leave university for somewhere that would offer me a good job, and a long, bright career. I searched and found the J.P Morgan financial service apprenticeship, applied and got in (after several round of interviews!).

The apprenticeship thus far has been an amazing experience; I have learnt so much about myself, the company, the business and the financial sector. The Investment Operations Certificate that you take on the apprenticeship really gives you good base knowledge of different asset classes and how the financial industry works – you’ll actually know what people are talking about when they speak of a call option or a credit default swap. The certificate encompasses 3 exams: Introduction to Securities & Investments, IT in Operations and Risk in Financial Services. Doing the qualifications was particularly useful for me as I work in a market facing role that operates with a lot of risk items, so I was able to get the background knowledge about what we do and why it is important. Personal growth is also part of the learning process. I am so much more proactive now than I was at the beginning of the programme. I have learnt how to handle stress, the real meaning of multi-tasking, and how to execute large, daunting pieces of work. Time management skills and organisation will naturally improve as well, and you will become more mature and responsible.

J.P. Morgan as a firm is a lovely place to work. People are always willing to speak to you and help you out. I never feel like I’m ‘just an apprentice’. I have had opportunities to attend events with people much more senior than I am and have been selected for courses that were meant to people further along in their career than me. I have really taken advantage of the amazing network at the firm and the opportunities presented to me- don’t be afraid to do so as well. It is yours for the taking.

Joining the apprenticeship was a big leap of faith for me. No one who I knew/ from my background had done something like this. University is the only thing I knew growing up. However, I am so happy I did it. I have developed far more than I could have imagined and I honestly love where I am right now. As for the fear of joining such a big corporation, you’ll find your feet. You’ll build the confidence to do the little things like just walk away from your desk for lunch/ take a break without asking (a concept which may seem very strange coming from school) or the more substantial things like taking on your first project. You will be okay, and you will be well supported.

Sophie Edroff
I started the JP Morgan Technology Degree Apprentice Scheme in September 2017 along with 7 other apprentices and am now coming to the end of my first year.

After leaving sixth-form, I recognised that the university lifestyle wasn’t for me. I wanted to start working towards my career but also had a passion for learning so an apprenticeship was the perfect option to work and get qualifications.

I secured a place on the scheme after applying twice. This process helped me realise perseverance is key when going for something you want. If I had taken the first no as a final answer then I wouldn’t be working in the fast-paced environment I am today.

I had looked at other apprenticeships when I got my first rejection but nothing interested me as much as JP Morgan. The ability to achieve a BSc honours degree alongside working for a well-renowned global company was the selling point.

The application process is extensive and competitive, however I believe this is necessary for employers to ensure individuals are the right candidate for the job and this should be looked at as an opportunity to demonstrate your strengths in scenarios other than interviews. You should make any interests you have clear from the start of the application process as this can affect which role you are placed in upon starting the apprenticeship. Think outside the box during group sessions and don’t be afraid to question people’s ideas. This shows you are confident in your opinions and JP Morgan are always looking for people who have diverse ideas to solve problems.

Since joining the scheme, I have developed both professionally and personally. Finding the balance between work, study and social life can be daunting at first but with the right motivation it can be achieved. I treat the study days I have the same as my office days and will make sure I’m logged on and working by 9. This also applies to my weekends I keep these days separate from work and study ensuring I spend it with family and friends to give myself a break.

I have found the overall programme very rewarding so far and am looking forward to starting my next year of studying where I will be specialising in Software Development. I had the opportunity to move roles after 10 months due to the enthusiasm I had shown and my strong ability to learn and adapt. The new role has given me the ability to develop a diverse range of skills and also helped to map me future career.

I have been involved with many initiatives at work such as organising a day-long event for primary students to partake in a wide range of technology based activities. I’ve found that by engaging in events outside of my job role, I have met a wide range of people in many interesting roles which has opened up more opportunities allowing me to develop my personal skills such as leadership. In July, I had the opportunity to participate in the Round the Island Yacht Race with JP Morgan. This involved a 3-day weekend sailing with 12 other employees from sites around the UK. Opportunities like this are what make JP Morgan a brilliant company to work for. I am looking forward to advancing my career with JP Morgan with the help of the apprenticeship.

Dominic Li
I started working for JP Morgan on the apprenticeship scheme in September 2017, having just completed my A-Levels at sixth form. As I am approaching the final part of the programme, and now worked for the firm for a year, I have reflected back on my decision to join the firm on this programme as opposed to further education at university.

Shortly after beginning sixth form, I knew that I wanted to work within the financial services because of the development, travel and networking opportunities that would be available to me, and therefore I made it my priority to research and discover the routes into this industry. However, I always felt that university was not a place for me because of the intense focus on exam results and studying, with less emphasis on first-hand experience.

Therefore, I found out about apprenticeships through a Careers Advisor, and from here I researched all the programmes that were offered by big and small, far and local firms. The reason why apprenticeships appealed to me so much more was because of the extensive learning and experience that one couldn’t get from reading text books; the invaluable skills I would obtain within a work environment at a young age would help propel me to be successful. For me, studying and revision has always been difficult, and I found that experiencing something taught me so much better and stuck with me longer. Therefore, despite there still being the studying aspects of an apprenticeship, experiencing it in my job would not only make me enjoy the content more, it would help me do better in exams as I would have experienced it through my day-to-day.

I am from Bournemouth, and as mentioned, I researched numerous apprenticeship schemes across the country. However, JP Morgan stood out to me for a number of reasons. Firstly, being local to the firm, I know that it is the biggest employer in the area; I’ve met a number of employees who have visited my school and various members of family and friends who have worked for the company. Furthermore, JP Morgan is recognised as one of the largest and most established investment banks globally. The culture, network and progression at JP Morgan speaks for itself – few of the many reasons why I am proud to work for this firm.

On this apprenticeship scheme, I have been working full time for the firm, and studying for three examinations towards my Level 4 Investment Operations certificate. In addition to this, there is a coursework part towards the qualification, as well as a final interview before completion. Despite the challenge of having to balance study and work, it is something which I have got used to quicker than I thought, with the help and support from my team at work, study providers and the Early Careers team at JP Morgan. This epitomises how well supported I have been joining straight from school, and this has enabled me to settle down into my job quicker and enjoy the new outlook on studying and working for me, and look for more opportunities to learn and network at the firm.

It is always a frightening and daunting aspect when starting a new job, no more so when you have just turned 18, finished school and beginning your career at one of the largest investment banks in the world. However, the people around me when I started were so welcoming; it helped me settle into my role so well. The responsibilities I have been given, is nothing I would have ever imagined doing at this age ever. My expectations of the job were exceeded from day one; I was treated like any other employee and was treated no differently by my colleagues, despite having no background or knowledge around the job. This again epitomises how the culture at JP Morgan is so important to helping the firm become what it is today.

Upon reflection, this has been the quickest year of my life, but the most insightful and promising starts to my career, which I could’ve never imagined without the opportunity this JP Morgan apprenticeship has offered to me. When talking to friends who have spent a year at university, I feel like I have made a good choice for my career now and in the future; I am earning money, gaining a qualification and working for one of the most prestigious banks in the world. One of the biggest comparisons to university is that I am earning as I work and study, whereas my friends at university have to work longer shifts at undesirable hours due to longer lectures and study days. Therefore, based on what I have experienced and heard from friends, I am convinced that my decision was the right one for me.

I would highly recommend an apprenticeship programme, the experience, skills and network you will gain is not the same at university as you are working every day. In addition, you will gain a qualification, which gives you a further stepping stone for whatever path I choose in the future. In my opinion, opportunities like this will propel you into the career you are aspiring, and my one bit of advice would be to apply if you really have got a career in mind and there is an opportunity like this available in that industry.

Now approaching the final 6 months of the programme, I am highly anticipating a promising career at JP Morgan, with the progression, network and opportunities on offer from a firm operating in over 60 countries worldwide.

Thea Cosham
I began the JP Morgan Financial Services Apprenticeship in September 2017. I was part of the fifth cohort to be accepted onto the programme, however, the first group to be accepted for the London offices in Canary Wharf (the previous cohorts were all based in Bournemouth).

I completed Sixth Form in 2016, however, I knew that University was not necessarily the right path for me, so I decided to take a year out to think about what I really wanted to do. This was when I came across Apprenticeships. At school, alternative options to University were never really discussed. I only became familiar with the schemes through conversations with a friend who had embarked on a similar journey and she shared her experience and passion for the decision she had made.

Having had multiple part time jobs since a young age, I knew that I enjoyed working and earning money for myself. I knew that University would be fun, but I believed that I could achieve more from taking this alternate route and entering the workplace as a school leaver.

After completing multiple interview stages for the JP Morgan Apprenticeship, it quickly became apparent how much it differed from the University application process. It offered a much more personal process to that of University and gave you a true sense of accomplishment.

I had received an offer from University, however (with ease), decided to choose the Apprenticeship due to the fantastic opportunities it could bring me, a head start in the workplace whilst gaining a valuable qualification at the same time. I truly felt gaining a place on this course was something to be extremely proud of – being 1 of 17 chosen for London with a further 35 in Bournemouth.

Apprenticeships are for school leavers who are looking for an alternate route to the norm, for a chance to really push yourself and to potentially achieve something amazing. Having the right attitude and motivation is, of course, required to succeed. However, you are rewarded with exceptional development opportunities in both professional and personal skills. Receiving ‘on the job experience’, whilst obtaining a recognised qualification with a highly-respected company, as well as a competitive salary, is something that cannot compare to University.

David Ametepey-Hayes
Since around the age of 15, I was already spending a lot of time on my brother’s computer, and was garnering a bit of a reputation as the tech guy amongst my friends. This sort of lead to me receiving a lot of requests for everything from the standard tech advice to relatively complex web applications for local businesses; it was through these that I realised, of all of my interests, computing was the one I really wanted to jump into long term.

When it came time to pick university choices I was wholly reluctant of the entire idea, and because, unlike many of my classmates, I fortunately had quite a strong idea of what I wanted to focus on, I was able to just jump on job sites and start looking at the job specifications for the roles I intended on eventually applying to. In doing this I quickly came to the realisation that very few, if any, of the software developer contracts made mention of a degree; the really enticing roles were entirely focused on skills and experience, so I made the acquisition of these two things my number one priority.

JP Morgan had come out to my school on a few occasions and though I regarded them to be a prestigious name, partly due to my then close mindedness I didn’t think they could be offering anything which could be of interest to me and so didn’t really even bother to engage with them.

Later I stumbled upon degree apprenticeships on a website focused on showing alternatives to traditional university routes, and found out there was an opportunity from JP Morgan for me to get a sponsored full Bachelors of Science degree in Technology, and furthermore, simultaneously gain four and a half years of experience with one of the world most recognised and respected names in banking and technology. That year I did not apply to any universities and I applied to this one apprenticeship. I didn’t get it, I reflected on what went wrong – an unwillingness to be bold and put my thoughts and ideas out during the group exercise (which I believe read a as a lack of engagement) at the assessment centre – and geared up to reapply the following year after a gap year. During my gap year I worked on a number of projects primarily with the aim to exercise and improve technical skills and also self-studied and resat all of my A-level exams to boost my grades. I also applied to universities and received offers from Lancaster, Surrey, Exeter, Southampton and Kings College London, all to study Computer Science; however I only really applied to encourage my teachers to predict me high grades (as they wouldn’t want to stifle my applications) therefore enabling me to apply to the JPMorgan Tech Degree apprenticeship with predicted grades comfortably higher than the required. Second time round, to my elation, I was able to secure a place.

Since starting I have seen my technical skills improve leaps and bounds, and my understanding of all aspects of software development in an enterprise widen dramatically in a way I don’t believe it would, or could, have anywhere else. I have been stunned by the sheer amount of investment the people at JP Morgan put into one another in terms of teaching and knowledge sharing, and the number of communities of practice from which I have been able to draw upon to further develop myself and my skills. From the very first day I stepped into the office, the type of work I’ve been doing has always enabled me to exercise the skills I really wanted to develop, whilst also producing solutions which are genuinely beneficial.