Jemma Lebus, a Debt Capital Markets Analyst in Global Banking and Advisory

1. What attracted you to join our graduate programme? 

After completing the summer internship at Societe Generale, I knew it was somewhere I would be excited to return to after finishing my degree. Not only had I enjoyed the work, but the people and culture also really stood out to me. I felt supported, encouraged to ask questions and trusted to get involved, even as an intern. The Graduate Programme appealed to me because it offered the chance to build on that experience, challenge myself, and continue growing while gaining exposure to different areas of Global Banking and Advisory through the rotations.

2. What opportunities have you had to explore different areas of the business?

One of the best parts of the graduate programme has been the chance to see different areas of Global Banking and Advisory in practice through three seven-month rotations. So far, I have rotated across Development & Structured Export Finance and Debt Capital Markets – two teams I have really enjoyed, but which are very different in both their function and day-to-day work. Seeing that contrast has been valuable, from learning how to think about credit and transaction structures to understanding market conditions, pricing and investor dynamics. It has helped me grow technically and given me a clearer idea of the type of work I see myself doing in the long-term. I am looking forward to building on this in my upcoming third rotation!

3. How soon were you given responsibility?

I was surprised by how quickly I was able to get involved in live work. Even early on, I was contributing to financial models, client materials, market updates and deal execution tasks, while still having support from the team around me. That balance has been valuable, as it allows you to take ownership early while still learning how to approach the work properly and build confidence as you go.

4. What advice would you give to someone considering applying?

I would say stay curious and do not put pressure on yourself to know everything before you start. Asking questions has been one of the best ways to build my understanding, whether that is about the work itself, technical skills or longer-term career development. You are surrounded by people who have often been through similar experiences themselves, and I have found that colleagues are very willing to share what they have learnt. I would also say to keep an open mind, as some of the most useful and enjoyable experiences can come from teams or areas of the business you may not have considered before joining.