BSc Government, 2012
Marketing Associate, Fidelity Worldwide Investment
How did choose your career?
After completing work experience in my first year at LSE, I narrowed my career options down to a role in distribution (i.e. sales and/or marketing). I attended careers fairs during my second year, which exposed me to the number of distribution-focused opportunities in the financial services sector.
Why did you choose to join Fidelity?
Fidelity has a unique culture: on one hand, it is a major player in the investment management sector with a history of unrivalled fund performance and a growing fund distribution platform. On the other hand, its private ownership means Fidelity can be innovative, entrepreneurial and long term in its strategy. I attended a graduate open day before applying and met with current and past graduates who explained what working at Fidelity is like.
What did LSE teach you?
The art of persuasion. Coming up with an idea is one thing; the ability to effectively socialise the idea with internal and external stakeholders, as well as obtain buy-in from senior management, is very important to succeed. The ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, is crucial.
What’s your current role and what you are expected to achieve?
My current six-month rotation is in the marketing team of Fidelity’s defined contribution business, which essentially administers occupational pensions for large, high-quality corporations. I produce marketing collateral for the employers in these corporations (our ‘clients’) as well as marketing material for each client’s employee base (our ‘members’). The two groups require a completely different approach so my role requires a dynamic and flexible approach to marketing.
What has been your most significant achievement at work?
Producing a 20-page magazine, which was distributed to 118,000 people across the country. This required very strong organisational and people skills as I was constantly dealing with third parties on the design, content and printing of the magazine. I also had to liaise with internal stakeholders (e.g. compliance and senior management) to ensure the message of the magazine was consistent with our central marketing strategy and brand.
Your most challenging task?
Understanding the technical aspects of Fidelity’s pension business and the whole pensions industry. I produced a bi-annual client newsletter, which, due to the nature of the audience, had to be extremely technical and detailed. Understanding pension legislation and regulation was particularly challenging as there have been extremely significant reforms in recent years.
What are the best and worst aspects of the job?
The best aspect of the Sales and Marketing Graduate Programme is the exposure to different businesses. Over two and a half years, each graduate experiences a number of different teams and businesses due to the rotational structure of the programme. While this is a very positive aspect of the scheme, it can sometimes be challenging to leave a role that you are enjoying to start from scratch in a new role.
How have you contributed to the success of the organisation?
In less than one year I have been fortunate enough to work in two expanding businesses. I have taken initiative on tasks and have come up with innovative ideas to grow each business further.
How do you see your career progressing?
I would like to get into a marketing role. I hope to use my skills to educate and influence clients through the production of innovative collateral. A successful marketer is able to persuade clients to change their investment approach – for example by encouraging them to invest in a particular asset class or explaining the merits of a particular fund.
What are the top skills that graduates should develop at LSE?
The ability to influence other people’s decisions – whether this is the act of persuading your line manager to allow you to pilot a new idea, or directly influencing a client to invest in your fund. Persuasion is required to some degree in all roles; being able to do so effectively will give you a big advantage.
What is your best piece of advice for LSE students wanting a career in your organisation or line of work?
Start looking early. All experiences, no matter how informal, will shape your eventual decision on which function and industry to work in. Gaining as much experience as possible will also help in convincing employers that they should hire you over other candidates in this competitive job market.