Case studies : Investment assistant: Todd Cijunelis

Todd graduated from the University of Leeds with a BSc (Hons) Economics, with a year in industry. He now works for Investec Wealth and Investment as an investment assistant in Leeds. 

While at university I undertook a one-year industrial placement with Corus Strip Products (now Tata Steel). I worked in a market analysis job where I learnt about the business, its operations and the competitive environment it functions within. This experience provided me with key employability skills such as teamwork, communication and organisation. I definitely think it gave me an advantage when I was looking for a graduate position.

I always wanted a job in the investment banking sector and was particularly attracted by the sector's versatility, the interesting processes of analysis and decision making that are involved, as well as the use of mathematics. My degree subject gave me a good background of industry knowledge. I found my current job on the Graduates Yorkshire  website just after I completed my final exams.

Being an investment assistant means I am a discretionary manager of clients' portfolios. I look at a wide range of investments and buy and sell collective funds for my clients, therefore managing their wealth and providing a healthy turnover.

My typical day starts with reading the news and the research team and external analyst notes and updates in order to get an idea of what is going on in the market. After this I go through some clients' accounts and place some deals in order to introduce new funds and alter the asset allocation. I usually get calls from front office staff, as they keep in contact with clients, and they inform me of the clients' requests and any changes of circumstances. I have to write letters to the client managers to explain why I placed the particular trades. Occasionally I meet with external fund managers who present their funds and explain their investments strategies.

From the very start I was given a lot of responsibility, managing a couple of hundred clients with supervision from a senior colleague after only one week. Since then I have passed my Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI)  certificate exams, which means I can now place my own deals and make my own decisions.

I really enjoy interacting with people from different companies and departments, having the sense of creating value and improving clients' wealth as well as the sociable atmosphere I work in. I also manage a lot of money and enjoy the responsibility of this.

However, there are busy periods when there is a large amount of work to do in a short time, for example when doing bulk trades for clients, and I have to make decisions between complicated investments.

I am currently studying for my Masters in wealth management with CISI. The qualification was offered as standard procedure when I started work to make sure I am well trained for the job.

My career aim is to expand my client bank and funds under management and to gain valuable experience and expertise in investment industry. I hope to be a respectable investment professional and produce a good return for the clients.

My advice to current students and graduates is to keep looking for jobs and don't be afraid to call companies and enquire about vacancies. Ask questions in the interviews to help you decide whether it's the right place for you. Also, pursue your interests and keep up with the financial press as demonstrating industry knowledge is essential.