Kerry Turnbull

Name: Kerry Turnbull
Job: Analyst, UK structured sales, global markets division
Employer: Deutsche Bank AG London
University: MA Economics, University of Edinburgh (2009)

As a student, I tried to get as much work experience as possible – I applied for insight weeks and internships. My first work placement was in the mergers and acquisitions division of another investment bank. I learned that I enjoyed working in a team under pressure but found that the quiet atmosphere didn’t suit me as much as the trading floor. I did my penultimate year internship within the global markets division at Deutsche Bank and was then offered a full-time position. The rotation system here allows you to experience at least six different roles within sales, trading and research before committing to your full-time placement.

My job

In my job you have to be technical and analytical to understand the products and their context. The learning curve can be steep, so it’s important to be adaptable and communicate well. You also have to be able to interact effectively with a variety of people. I’ve been interacting with clients from an early stage – typically hedge funds. I also work with our traders every day, and liaise with structurers and deal syndicate teams from across the bank on a more sporadic basis.

Fast-paced environment

I sit on the trading floor – a high-energy, fast-paced environment. I sit next to my head of team, which gives me better visibility and, as a new graduate, makes it more comfortable to ask questions. My team gets in by 8.00 am and typically finishes by 7.30 pm or 8.00 pm, or earlier on a Friday when we usually go for a quick drink together. I haven’t had to work a weekend yet and, although I’ve had to cancel a couple of dinner plans, I feel I have a healthy work/life balance.