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Harriet Stevens
Harriet Stevens
"I studied banking and finance at Loughborough University graduating in 2007. I decided to pursue a career in banking as I wanted to develop the financial knowledge I gained at university and push myself further in a dynamic work environment. I have always enjoyed working with numbers and so the decision to undertake an accounting qualification seemed a natural progression. Being a female in what is commonly a male dominated environment has not put any barriers in the way of pursuing the career I want. There is a great team spirit at Nomura and I settled into my role very quickly, knowing there was always support at hand. My team has been great in helping me to effectively manage a demanding schedule, where I have been getting to grips with a full time career as well as and ongoing study for my accountancy exams. Prior to my graduate position here I spent a year long placement in product control also at Nomura. My placement year gave me a good insight into investment banking and the company culture. I found I enjoyed working for a slightly smaller firm where I was given much more exposure and responsibility early on. This was one of the main reasons I decided to return as a graduate. Joining the graduate programme last summer provided opportunities for me to develop good relationships with my peers across different departments in the firm. The high level of training we received both as a group and individually, helped to develop my product knowledge significantly. I am currently working in finance on the credit investment trading desk. I mainly deal with operational risk where I have to interact with various different areas of the firm to ensure the desk’s trades are reported correctly. My role requires keen attention to detail and strong problem solving and communication skills. I will shortly be rotating into a new role in management information systems, where I will be responsible for reporting and analysing figures for Nomura’s European operations. The finance rotation scheme is an excellent opportunity to see and appreciate different aspects of the firm and broaden your skill base. It’s not often you get to work right in the heart of a trading floor when embarking on a career in accounting! It also gives you the opportunity to see where your strengths lie and where you see your career heading. Nomura provides excellent opportunities if you work hard and are willing to learn and I have found the finance department excellent in supporting my development. I would advise anyone seeking a career in investment banking to gain as much experience as possible to see what kind of role you might be suited to. Another tip I have found invaluable is to take every opportunity to interact and network with your colleagues." Click here for more information on learning and development .
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