Imagine spending a day inside one of the world's oldest asset management companies, gaining invaluable career advice, and networking with industry leaders. That's exactly what happened at the MFS Insight Day, a powerful event inspiring finance careers for London students.
Founded in 1924, MFS is one of the oldest asset management companies in the world and has been credited with pioneering the mutual fund.
30 students from Christ The King, St Mary’s, based in Sidcup attended the event at the MFS office near St. Paul’s, London. Urban Synergy's Head of Programmes Dianne Johnson and Sandra Davis, Human Resources Business Partner at MFS co-hosted the event. Client Service Team Lead Kim Shutler and Vahideh Ashton, International Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, were the keynote speakers. Kim gave an introduction to the company and Vahideh talked about the MFS DE&I mission before they both shared information about their career journeys.
Panel discussion
Urban Synergy's Dianne Johnson, interviewed the panel featuring:
- Natalie Ademakinwa - Talent Development Consultant
- Paul Fairbrother - Institutional Portfolio Manager
- Pelumi Olawale - Strategist (Client Sustainability Strategy)
- Lizzie Green - Compliance Senior Specialist
- Alan Brown - Equity Trader
The panellists helped to decode their roles for the students and also shared some career insights and provided useful tips.
Career insights from MFS professionals
MFS professionals from across the company shared career insights and pathways with the students, to expose students to a wider range of roles within the company and industry as a whole. It was also an opportunity for the students to ask lots of questions.
CV and LinkedIn advice for students
Students were provided with lunch and also given an office tour during the lunch hour. Early Careers Team Lead Athina Chartelain talked to the students about good practices when writing CVs, LinkedIn, and their importance in recruitment. Following a short exercise where students got to use their new found knowledge and critique two example CVs, they were allowed to direct questions and have them answered.
Student feedback
After the event, we asked the students to complete a feedback form, they said:
"Enjoyed this event because we could talk to the staff one on one which helped me to learn new things they could not share with the group"
"I enjoyed every single moment at this event, especially the panel session"
"Learned a lot about skills, making a CV, doing apprenticeships and different roles within the financial industry"
"What I enjoyed the most about the MFS insight day is that we visited the desks of the members of staff that we were introduced to earlier. The overall talks kept me engaged all throughout, they also allowed me to ask questions to those who spoke, giving me more insight into MFS”
"I enjoyed speaking to some of the employees and seeing the differences in jobs, passion and commitment to each of their roles. I individually asked some employees for their LinkedIn information to network with them and gain an overall understanding of their jobs. Overall, it was very beneficial for me and I will definitely be adding this to my CV and hopefully applying next year"
