Is the first call really free?

Yes. Thirty minutes, no cost and no obligation. We tell you honestly what we would do in your position, even if that is not working with us.

Is it online or in person?

Both. Most sessions are online, and in-person sessions can be arranged on request.

How does it work for under-18s?

A parent or guardian arranges any paid programme and is welcome on the first call. We keep written records of every session.

Can you guarantee an offer?

No, and anyone who does is not being straight with you. We make sure students apply to the right places, at the right time, and walk into every stage prepared.

Do you work with schools?

Yes. We deliver careers talks online and in person, and offer a whole-school platform that supports Gatsby Benchmark evidence. Request a demo and we will send the details for your school.

onDesk

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Careers in finance

Careers in finance, explained

Five areas a student can aim for, what the work actually is, what firms look for and how you get in - in plain English.

Not sure which is for you? Take the free 15-minute skills check

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Why finance?

Some of the best-paid and fastest-learning starts a graduate can get.

Competitive starting salaries

£50,000-£70,000+ base at leading London banks

Accelerated development

Early responsibility and structured training

International mobility

London, Dubai, New York and other financial centres

Transferable skills

Analysis, communication and judgement under pressure

Salary: investment banking analysts at leading London banks. Source: PrepLounge, 2026. Pay varies by firm, role and location. onDesk does not guarantee employment or salary outcomes.

Areas we prepare students for

Investment banking

Advising companies on deals: buying businesses, raising money and listing on the stock market.

Suited to students who are organised, resilient and happy to be pushed hard on detail.

£50,000-£70,000+ base - PrepLounge, 2026

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Sales and trading

Buying and selling financial products for clients, pricing risk in real time.

Suited to students who like fast decisions, following the markets and being measured on results.

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Quant and trading firms

Using maths, statistics and code to price products and find trading edges.

Suited to students who enjoy maths, probability and writing code to solve problems.

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Asset management

Investing clients' money for the long term across shares, bonds and funds.

Suited to students who like research, long-term thinking and forming your own view.

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Risk

Measuring and limiting what a firm could lose, before it happens.

Suited to students who like numbers, rules and thinking carefully about what could go wrong.

Learn more

Pay varies by firm, role and location. onDesk does not guarantee any job or salary.

Unsure which area suits you?

Complete the free onTrack career assessment for an immediate, personalised result.

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Full assessment (approximately 8 minutes)

What the routes in look like

Degree

Three years at university in any subject, then a graduate role. Most front-office hires come through a summer internship in the penultimate year.

Degree apprenticeship

A paid job and a funded degree at the same time, straight from sixth form. Fewer places, but you graduate with years of experience and no debt.

Spring weeks, internships, then graduate roles

A spring week in first year (or sixth form) is a short taster that can lead to a summer internship, which is where most graduate offers are made.

When applications open

Earlier than most students expect. Spring week applications open as early as the summer before, and the biggest firms fill places on a rolling basis - the first applications, reviewed early, get the first interviews.

See what is open right now on onTime, the live tracker of application deadlines.

What firms look for

Evidence of interest

One real, current thing you can talk about: a deal, a market move, a product.

Commercial awareness

A view on what is happening in business and markets, and why it matters.

Numbers

Comfort with percentages, mental maths and the arithmetic behind the work.

Communication and teamwork

Clear writing, clear speaking, and evidence you work well with others.

onDesk coaches students into all five areas - one to one, from choosing an area to holding the offer. Book a free call to talk it through.

Start with a free call.

No cost, no obligation. We listen, you ask anything, and we are straight with you about what is realistic.

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