Over the recent holidays, two of our new Year 12 students, Nick B and Sidhanth S, were selected to attend the prestigious UBS Finance Academy in Sydney. The three-day program offered students a rare opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the fast-paced world of global finance, with sessions led by UBS executives, team workshops and real-world case studies.
Both Nick and Sidhanth have written reflections on their experience at the Academy, sharing what they learned and how it has inspired their future aspirations in finance.
Nick B
I am pleased to share that I have recently completed the UBS Finance Academy, a three-day intensive program hosted by UBS provide firsthand exposure to the world of global finance.
Throughout the program, I had the opportunity to engage with a range of factions across UBS, including Investment Banking, Wealth Management and Asset Management ( I much preferred Wealth Management). Through team workshops and interactive panel discussions, I gained meaningful insight into both the strategic objectives of these divisions and the practical realities of their day-to-day operations.
Key activities such as workshops on Negotiation, Mock Interviews and Critical Thinking helped to deepen not only my understanding of financial concepts but also my confidence in applying them in real-time scenarios.
Just as valuable was the opportunity to network with employees from the company and to gain an understanding of the opportunities in the field of finance.
Sidhanth S
UBS experience review:
Attending the UBS Finance Academy over the holidays was an awe-inspiring experience. It gave me a real look into how fast-paced and complex the world of institutional finance actually is. I’m really grateful to the College for supporting and giving me the chance to be part of such an intense program.
The days were packed with workshops, team challenges and case studies that kept us on our toes. Most mornings started with sessions run by UBS executives, covering topics like equity research and M&A. The best part was that it wasn’t just theory, we got to build financial models for a hypothetical company and apply everything. It definitely pushed us to think critically and manage pressure, which offered a more engaging experience that enabled me to apply my classroom studies. Some of the valuation and risk management sessions were tough, but also super rewarding once it all clicked.
One of my favourite parts was visiting UBS’s real-time trading floor and getting to see how professionals actually work under pressure. It was amazing to watch how quickly decisions are made and how much collaboration goes into every trade. We also had the chance to meet with a few senior executives who spoke about their own experiences in the industry and how they worked their way up. Hearing their advice and insights gave me a much clearer idea of what a career in finance really looks like day to day.
Another big highlight was the speaker sessions. Hearing directly from senior analysts and traders about their career paths and experiences was genuinely inspiring. They gave practical advice on what it takes to start out in finance.
Overall, the Academy gave me a clearer sense of direction for the future. It immersed me further into the financial industry and gave me skills I can implement into practical use. The experience has genuinely deepened my interest in finance and strengthened my motivation to keep developing both academically and professionally.
Mr John Williams
Year 12 Advisor