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Placements at First Derivative
On our 12-month placement program, there are no limits to what you can learn as you begin to lay the foundations for your career.
The First Derivative Placement Program is a unique learning opportunity for university students to gain professional experience and industry exposure that will prove invaluable through education and beyond. Being entrusted with high levels of responsibility from day one, you’ll gain a sought-after skill set and benefit from the support of our HQ team over your year-long placement in one of the exciting positions we offer.
As a placement, you will have access to unparalleled training opportunities through structured learning and hands-on experience. You will take part in our world-renowned Capital Markets Training Program (CMTP) and boost your long-term career prospects from day one!
During your placement year, you will become an integral part of our team, gaining exposure to many different areas of our business. From day one, you are a valued member of the team and you will have the opportunity to learn from your peers and experienced consultants, who can help you define your future career path.
Our Technology Services business is a leading global provider of third-party trading technology implementation and maintenance services supporting leading financial institutions worldwide. With over 20 years experience of delivering fully managed services across development, support and testing, from front-to-back to risk, we help clients reduce costs, improve quality and increase productivity.
We tackle every new venture with credibility, reliability and a flair for solving problems. Every element is planned. Every detail considered. Do you have what it takes?
An opportunity to gain invaluable experience across a variety of our core HR teams which support our global organisation. You’ll play a key role in supporting our staff as we enable our business to operate efficiently and continue to grow.
Our Business Operations placement role offers the opportunity to be immersed in the busy operational teams that support the day-to-day running of our business. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure to a variety of business functions including recruitment, resourcing and management.
This role is a unique opportunity for highly technical students with an interest in cutting-edge technology and the capital markets sector to work as part of our development team for a year in industry.
In this role, placement students are guaranteed a high-quality experience within the financial services consultancy setting, contributing to live projects whilst also building sought-after technical skills.
Since joining First Derivative back in June 2022 as a Financial Engineer Placement I was fortunate enough to excure a role as an Operations Analyst on a Collateral Management Project with a Tier 1 Investment Bank in London. This experience has afforded me the opportunity to gain invaluable knowledge and expand my network. The transition to working life was made easy due to the on-going support network that the First Derivative team have in place.
My role within the Learning and Development team has allowed me to develop countless new skills and abilities, and I have built my confidence massively across my placement year. The opportunity to meet and form relationships with colleagues from all over the world was one of the most enjoyable aspects of my job. My experience at First Derivative has been invaluable.
My time at First Derivative as a software engineer placement has been truly remarkable. My role involved Quality Assurance testing of a foreign exchange platform used by a top tier bank and proved to be a great insight into the FinTech sector. My duties have allowed me to build strong problem-solving skills and adaptability in a fast-paced environment. What I’ve enjoyed most about my placement experience is the opportunity it has afforded me to develop my interpersonal skills such as teamwork, confidence and communication. I strongly believe that the skills I have gained can only be learned through hands-on, industry experience.
Coming into my placement year, I was apprehensive. I intended to keep my head down, meet my deadlines, and avoid any major mistakes. However, the collaborative ethos woven into each department and level of First Derivative inspired confidence in myself. This confidence drove me to complete some of the wide array of training on offer, converse openly with superiors, and even host my own training sessions.
I was placed on a compliance project working on behalf of one of the UK’s largest banks. I was afforded the responsibility of liaising with both personal and business clients daily to assist in account management procedures.
Throughout my placement year, I achieved a greater level of professional development than I had ever expected.
My experience as a placement Software Engineer was very hands-on from the get-go. Working with a team of talented individuals who didn’t hesitate to lend a helping hand, allowed me to grow and gain the confidence I needed to back myself as a Quality Assurance Tester. Working on a project for one of the world’s leading derivatives marketplace meant I was able to gain financial experience, specifically in Foreign Exchange, whilst also enhancing my technical skills which will no doubt benefit me in my return to university and my future career.
