Pauline Guénot, who leads MHP Capital Market’s internship programme:
MHP Capital Markets is a team, above all – it is greater than the sum of its parts, and we draw from individual strengths and passions to succeed together. We want anyone joining our intern programme to play a part in the team’s achievements, so we value curiosity, adaptability and ambition.
Over the past 18 months, my priority has been to offer the chance to discover the world of financial communications to candidates from various backgrounds. In doing so, I’ve interviewed many talented individuals with very different experiences to undertake placements averaging two months. Those who became interns were given the opportunity to work on a wide range of issues and projects across our whole client base, and attend multiple events in the City and beyond.
I am delighted to say that our interns have thrived. Working autonomously or as part of the team, they have learnt from colleagues at all levels and backgrounds, including those who bring experience from previous careers in associated fields such as journalism, investment banking and law.
Becoming an intern at MHP has opened the door for them to this demanding but rewarding industry, offering the opportunity to acquire new skills along the way which have helped them as they embark on their careers.
I’m very proud to say that three of our brilliant interns recently joined our team permanently, while others returned to university, or took on roles in related disciplines, such as the worlds of fintech, public affairs and local government.
People thinking about joining Capital Markets as an intern often ask what the key to success is. There’s no one simple answer, but there are two things to bear in mind: Read the papers. Speak to everyone. This business is about understanding how people think, so any conversation is worth having, and any article worth reading.
Ally Bayne, who joined MHP Capital Markets as an Account Executive in March after completing the internship programme:
Reflecting on my time as an intern here, I can safely say I’d recommend it to anyone with an interest in financial PR, or even a vague curiosity as to how companies communicate.
I joined as an intern in February having spent four enjoyable years studying English Literature at Edinburgh. After graduation, it was time to confront the inevitable question of what I was going to do next. A chance encounter with a friend of a friend who worked in financial PR drove me to pursue that avenue, and I was fortunate enough to be offered an internship with MHP. The Capital Markets programme provides an invaluable insight into the somewhat mysterious – but demonstrably fascinating – world of financial communications.
While it’s incredibly cliché to say, every day truly was different and from the get-go I was assigned a variety of tasks from people at all levels. Indeed, the team were quick to give me responsibility; instead of becoming part of the furniture, I was invited to the results day presentation of a FTSE 250 company in my second week.
Throughout my time as an intern, I was overseen by two members of the team, who struck the perfect balance between answering the many questions I had for them and letting me take on tasks independently. They provided regular feedback and ensured I was doing varied work, something which made my transition to a permanent role incredibly smooth.
The Capital Markets team is a varied group of talented individuals. Their backgrounds include banking, journalism, engineering – there’s even a former teacher – and their experience ranges from months to decades. Getting to know the team – made easy from the on-to-one coffees that are immediately put in your diary– provides just as valuable an insight into the sector as the work itself.
Whether you decide it’s for you or not, spending eight weeks with MHP’s Capital Markets team will teach you things you didn’t know – and keep you entertained.
For more information about internships, see our guide to internships at MHP Group, or email [email protected].
