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WHAT THE CITY FELLOWSHIPS HAVE ACHIEVED FOR ITS ALUMNI

Recently, we surveyed our alumni to determine whether the Fellowships had given them the competitive edge we had hoped for. We asked the respondents to be frank and gave them anonymity. We were delighted with the results. Everyone said that the Fellowships had been a turning point in their lives; that it had given them new skill-sets, deepened their knowledge of the global markets, and given their careers a tremendous boost. So many of our alumni said they would not have the senior positions they now hold without the experience and the skill sets gained during the Fellowships. The Fellowship will do the same for you.

Here are two excerpts from that alumni survey:

"From a career standpoint, I don't think there is a better way to learn the ins and outs of the financial service industry than as a City Fellow with a premier investment bank such as Goldman Sachs. More importantly, you will be working with some of the brightest minds in Europe. My colleagues routinely encourage me to ask questions and will stop by to explain something they believe will help my development. I strongly recommend to anyone who is eligible to participate in the City Fellowships to apply. It has offered me the opportunity to gain an even greater knowledge of finance and given me a launching pad to the next phase of my life and career."

Another wrote:

With the Goldman Sachs City Fellowship, I have had the opportunity to develop the skills so vital in the financial services industry. I have built a comprehensive understanding of global capital markets, and developed complete confidence in my own expertise when establishing new business relationships. I have also acquired the strong base of knowledge and solid professional experience necessary for me to achieve my career goals.

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More Recent Success Stories

If I had to summarize my experience with the City Fellowship into one word, it would be “Incredible!”

This fellowship experience exceeded my expectations, and has been extremely rewarding both personally and professionally. Despite leaving a position with a premier account firm, I decided to apply because I saw this as an opportunity to enhance my business knowledge and skills, as well as live outside of the United States. The prospect of living and working abroad was one that I could not afford to pass on. I also believe potential employers value international experience, and exposure to different cultures.

When I initially accepted the fellowship, I was looking at the 1 year commitment. My fellowship has since become a career enhancing opportunity, as I have accepted a permanent position with Goldman Sachs. The Goldman Sachs culture is very team oriented, and during my fellowship year, I was given tasks that made significant contributions to projects. My colleagues were always more than helpful when it came to bringing me up to speed. I am working with incredibly bright people, I am constantly challenged, and I continuously gain both industry and product knowledge.

From a personal perspective, my motto has always been: “An individual with limited exposure has limited experience, thus restricting their outlook on life and point of view in many situations.” Another key reason for applying for the City Fellowship was to expand my horizons. My perspective on life is completely different as a result of living in London. I take every opportunity to travel throughout Europe, and it’s fascinating to observe different cultures. I’ve met people from all over the world who share their different perspectives and this has tremendously enriched my life.

Tia Martin, Class of 2005

The main factor that influenced me to apply to the City Fellowship Program was the opportunity to work and live in a different country. Although living in a different culture was not a foreign experience for me, working was indeed, a new challenge. Furthermore, changing jobs to pursue a career in a totally different industry was a difficult (but worthwhile) decision, as my knowledge on investment banking was very limited. However, since my first step through the doors of Goldman Sachs, my team and colleagues were keen to help me learn and understand the different functions within the firm. In the course of the first few months of the Fellowship, I met individuals from the different divisions in order to receive an overview of their functions within the firm. In addition, my managers and team leaders encouraged my participation in several training courses, which has enhanced my knowledge on the products offered, and our role in the market, as a premier investment bank.

The great opportunity to learn would have not been possible, without the support of my colleagues. Here in Goldman Sachs, one gets the opportunity to work with exceptional individuals that are genuinely interested in your wellbeing and career development. In addition, one’s team members are always challenging one’s ability to learn, and in Goldman you are never in a comfort zone, and this is the best way, in my opinion, to keep learning and growing, not only professionally but personally.

It is the high quality of its people along with its other attributes that makes Goldman Sachs a magnificent place to work, and I am glad to be part of such a wonderful organization, thanks to the City Fellowship for Financial Services and Inroads New York City.

Carolina Marte
Associate
Planning & Analysis
Goldman Sachs & Co.
London, UK

I moved to London in March 2004 to join Goldman Sachs Credit department and two years and a promotion later, I am still here! Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, I worked in New York for the corporate restructuring practice of a Big Four accounting firm. Although my previous work experience aided in my transition, nothing can fully prepare you for life at Goldman Sachs. The amount of responsibility you are given from Day 1 is amazing. More importantly, you will present so often that it becomes second nature. Everything is team based and only team orientated people succeed at the firm. The hours can be long and juggling multiple deadlines is extremely challenging, but the amount of professional growth that I have undergone is quite astonishing.

From a career standpoint, I don’t think there is a better way to learn the dynamics of the financial services industry than working at a premier investment bank like Goldman Sachs. I have worked and developed relationships with some of the brightest minds in European corporate finance. Most importantly, I have had the opportunity to establish an international contact base that will become invaluable as my career progresses.

I will end by saying that I would strongly recommend anyone who is eligible to participate in the City Fellowship Programme to apply. It has offered me an opportunity to achieve my one of my goals of living and working in London, gain an even greater knowledge of the financial services industry and given me a launching pad to the next phase of my life and career.

Michael Daniel, Class of 2004

Everyone can appreciate the benefits of living and working abroad. So, when I learned of the City Fellowship Program I knew that it was an experience that I could not allow to pass me by.

My experiences at Goldman Sachs have been tremendously enjoyable and rewarding. Goldman Sachs immediately provided me with a high degree of responsibility, that I willingly accepted. My position has provided me with the wonderful opportunity to work with colleagues throughout Europe and North America. Goldman Sachs demands excellence, fosters a team environment and rewards success. I have been challenged and fulfilled throughout my year as a City Fellow, which is why I accepted the offer to continue as a member of the Goldman Sachs team.

I believe that a deep appreciation for the global economy that we live and work in is essential to my future success. The City Fellowship Program has given me the opportunity to experience international financial services first-hand. I would encourage anyone who is serious about becoming a successful financial services professional to apply to the City Fellowship Program.

Aaron Merriweather, Class of 2005