Cadets study at the university of their choice in Sydney (or Melbourne for Business Cadetships in Melbourne candidates). PCA and the participating companies do not favour one university over another when selecting cadets. The cadets we profile below are from diverse backgrounds and have had different experiences.

 

Thomas Nightingale - 1st Year UBS Melbourne Cadet

I went to school at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar (PEGS) and had no idea what I wanted to do in the world until the start of Year 11 when I took Economics. I was drawn to the subject by its combination of literacy and numeracy skills and I liked the look of the competitive environment of the industries that draw on Economics.

Subsequently I applied for the Business Cadetships in Melbourne Program in order to do something different with my career and to differentiate myself from other university students.

At UBS Melbourne, I am employed in Equity Research as part of the Mining team. In this team I work to provide valuation advice to investors on mining stocks, predominately those in Australia. As a cadet, I have the opportunity to meet incredible people throughout the finance industry and to learn the fundamentals of finance and business.

At the same time, I am also undertaking a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne. Finding the balance between work and study is not always easy, but I’ve been able to manage this well through planning ahead and being open with UBS about any challenges I might face.

My biggest gain through the cadetship has been the ability to fast-track my career by getting real world experience as early as possible. This has provided the biggest advantage for me, and I would encourage any student considering applying for a cadetship to give it a go!

 

Lucy Vicendese - 2nd Year UBS Melbourne Cadet

This year is my second year being a part of the Global Markets team in Melbourne, mainly working in Equity Research Sales where I am also gaining exposure to the Sales-Trading and Derivatives teams. My highlights so far have been meeting with senior executives of Australian and internationally founded businesses, being able to experience Capital raisings first-hand, and having exposure to differentiated research information on companies and real world macro themes.

To be able to work on a live trading floor in my day-to-day life is an unreal experience. Although the learning curve is steep at first, I always feel very supported and I am lucky to work in a highly talented team that can pass on their years of knowledge and industry experience. Global Markets is a very diverse and ever-changing work environment where I am able to observe the financial markets closely. With the help of my team, I have gained the knowledge to be able to contribute meaningfully to the business.

My cadetship at UBS has provided me with an opportunity to apply my studies from Uni and has given me an unmatched introduction to the corporate world, where I have been able to attend client meetings, investor calls, and company non-deal roadshows, as well as being involved in real-world investment strategies traded by institutional investors.

Outside of work, I enjoy running, watching soccer and F1, and playing netball. Thanks to the flexibility of the program, I have quickly been able to find a work-life balance and have been able to pursue all my interests.

 

Talia Scheeren - 2nd Year UBS Cadet

I graduated from Oakhill College in 2022, thoroughly enjoying subjects such as Economics and Mathematics. Going into finance seemed to be a natural progression from this and led me to apply for a cadetship through PCA. Currently, I am at the University of Sydney studying a Bachelor of Commerce and Advanced studies, pursuing a major in Finance.

I am currently working in the Equities Trade Support and Client Service team within Operations. An average day involves facilitating the end-to-end journey of the trade life cycle for multiple desks on the trading floor. We act as an intermediary between the front and back office, resolving any trade issues that occur, ensuring these are resolved and that trades settle in a timely manner.

UBS has prioritised my work and development by allowing me to explore different avenues that make our daily tasks more efficient, whether it be through automating processes or streamlining communication.

The fast paced, collaborative nature of the role has quickly provided me with invaluable skills that are transferrable to any future roles within the financial industry. Gaining this practical experience complements my university studies and enables a more comprehensive understanding of what is being taught.

Whilst it takes a bit of time to adjust to both full time work and study, my team has been incredibly kind and supportive. Through UBS, I can establish a routine that can accommodate both work and university studies, ensuring that I can still maintain a social life and do the things I enjoy.

 

Ben Rothery - 3rd Year UBS Cadet

I originally applied for a Business Cadetship after learning about it from a friend a few years older than me who had also applied. I particularly liked the idea of working whilst studying as I had always thrived on having a busy schedule during school.

For the first two years of my cadetship, I worked in in Equity Research. This involved generating ideas for institutional investors that include short term trading opportunities and long-term fundamental valuations. This year I have begun a new role working in Investment Banking in the Industrials team which supports clients in raising funds for potential growth opportunities.

At UBS the culture is very like a family. The firm fosters teamwork and makes it easy to get along with others around you. I found it helpful that managers have past experience supervising cadets and understand the demands of university study that cadets face.

Initially I found combining study and work quite challenging. However, after my first semester, I was able to develop a schedule which allowed me to maintain my academic calibre at university whilst completing a cadetship at UBS.

The opportunity to combine my studies in Commerce and Advanced Studies with real world application at a global leader in investment banking has been invaluable. I am able to take what I am learning at university and apply that to my day-to-day tasks at work (and vice versa), and this has led to better results at university and enhanced performance at work. The cadetship allows you to learn in real time and in live situations: you cannot get this elsewhere.

 

Diya Goswami - 3rd Year Barrenjoey Cadet

I am now in my third year of the cadetship at Barrenjoey, and it’s been the most rewarding journey. I first heard about the cadetship from my Careers Adviser at Baulkham Hills High School in 2021, back when I was still searching for what to pursue after Year 12 and thought it would be a great opportunity to try something different.

After deciding to give it a shot, and a few interview rounds later, my journey had begun! While working in the Real Estate sector within Equities Research at Barrenjoey, I’ve spent the last two years meeting experts in their field, getting a firmer understanding of the financial services industry, and taking on invaluable experience in a professional environment.

Alongside working at Barrenjoey, I am studying Economics at the University of Sydney which has been equally as enriching and challenging. While I had expected to use my university knowledge at work, it has been quite the opposite: I am able to take real-world learnings, market insights, and conversations with brilliant economists at work into my studies at uni. The cadetship has also pushed me to prioritise and manage my time, as I juggle uni classes, work commitments, and of course a social life, as well as keeping up my passions and hobbies like theatre, dance, hiking, and more.

If, as a current Year 12 student, you are also up for the challenge of gaining real-world financial insights, professional experience, and the enriching experience of meeting people from a variety of backgrounds in an exciting and ever-changing workplace, I can’t recommend this cadetship enough!

 

Ryan Donaghy - 3rd Year Barrenjoey Cadet

I graduated from De La Salle Catholic College Cronulla in 2021 and now pursue a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Sydney, majoring in Finance and Economics. My interest in the finance world blossomed towards the end of high school, steering me towards applying for a Business Cadetship in order to access this dynamic field.

During my time at Barrenjoey, I have had the privilege to learn from talented and experienced individuals, bridging the gap between theory and practice. I am currently in the Sydney Sales Trading team, working alongside industry experts, interacting with clients, attending meetings and producing sales notes. I cherish the opportunity to work on a fast-paced trading floor and be a part of both the client-facing and the execution sides of the business.

This experience has proven invaluable in deepening my knowledge of the finance sector, allowing me to gain hands-on exposure and build a robust professional network. Balancing study and work demands has been challenging but manageable, thanks to the importance of time management, skills developed through the program and the flexibility provided by Barrenjoey.

This flexibility has been instrumental in allowing me to maintain a work-life balance. Outside of work and academics, I have a strong passion for sports, travel and socialising with friends. This balance facilitated my representation of Australia in the OzTag World Cup held in Ireland.

Overall, the ability to gain practical work experience, develop valuable knowledge and be a member of a motivated team makes the Business Cadetship experience very rewarding and enriching.