Employee Stories

Katie Maggs

How sports skills helped Katie forge a career in Markets

About your journey

What did you study at Nottingham? Did you always know you wanted to pursue a career in banking?

I studied a BSC in Economics at Nottingham between 2019-2022, whilst also a member of the University of Nottingham Ladies Hockey team throughout my three years at the university (Treasurer 2020-21 and President 2021-22). I knew I wanted to work in the financial sector, and narrowed down to a career in a Financial Markets role in my second year when applying to summer internships.

How did your time at university help prepare you for your career?

My Economics degree equipped me with a foundation of technical skills beneficial to working in Financial Markets, whilst being part of the hockey club peer group taught me teamwork, leadership, time management amongst other soft skills.

What was your path from graduation to your current role? Did you participate in a graduate programme / internship with Standard Chartered? How did it shape your career with us?

I joined Standard Chartered first in 2021 on the summer internship programme following a successful application process in autumn 2020. Having spent 10-weeks rotating between roles across the trading floor, I was offered a graduate role in the Investor Client Sales team which I started the September after I graduated. The internship was a great experience to discover the various roles in Financial Markets and demonstrate my ability to the hiring managers. 

Insight into banking careers

What does your current role involve day to day? What do you enjoy about it?

As a Repo Salesperson, I facilitate repo trading between the Bank and our client base (including hedge funds, central banks, asset managers, pension funds, insurance companies, and global corporates). My role involves managing client relationships, negotiating terms of trade, providing information and trade opportunity ideas to clients, and ensuring efficient execution of repo transactions.

My favourite thing about being in sales is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with clients, being better able to understand individual needs and provide more relevant solutions. The dynamic and results-driven nature of markets keeps me motivated (as a naturally competitive person…!) and constantly learning.

What is the best thing about working for Standard Chartered?

The best thing about working at Standard Chartered has been being surrounded by intelligent, experienced, driven people, who (most importantly) give a lot of time and energy to others to support the wider trading floor’s development.

How has your career developed since joining the Bank?

From starting as an intern four years ago to now working as an Associate, I’ve built up my knowledge, client network and therefore my responsibilities within my direct and wider markets teams.

What’s been the most surprising thing about working in Banking?

That I can cope with/almost enjoy the 7am start times, given that 9am lectures used to be a struggle…

Advice for current students

What skills or experiences, outside of your degree have been most useful in your career to date?

My involvement in team sports, predominantly hockey, has been invaluable so far – from organising events for the university hockey club to organising dinners/drinks/ski trip events for clients! Some clients even message on a Monday during the hockey season to check how I got on in my Saturday matches…

How can students stand out in their application?

Keep your CV to one page of clear/concise information (the ’30-second rule’), and make sure to add your hobbies/interests/talents – grades, experiences, education are all important, but make sure to showcase what makes you individual!

Culture and belonging

How does the Bank support early careers talent and development?

There are multiple pathways offered to juniors interested in Financial Markets careers, including apprenticeships, spring insights, summer internships, and graduate roles. Peers at Standard Chartered give a lot of time and support to junior development, whilst pushing us to our best through high levels of responsibility early on.

How would you describe the culture on your team?

I’d say our Repo team follow a work hard, play hard approach. We have a range of experience across the team, with everyone pushed to the best of their ability – we’re a very competitive group of people, whether the focus is our budget targets or our fantasy Premier League results…