Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

My role involves the assessment and completion of predominantly mid-market private equity backed transactions such as management buy-outs, refinances, recapitalisations, and growth funding opportunities.

A typical day will involve anything from desk based complex analysis and reporting, in house meetings with clients and professional advisors, external site visits to client premises and professional firms, and managing a small team.

The fact it is never the same from one day to the next and from one year to the next, especially with the rate the financial services sector is changing due to regulatory, political and social pressures. Its also very sociable and I get the chance to build links to many different people.

I can work long hours and spend many late evenings in the office. The job can also bring about stress as many transactions will have a genuine time driver which can make matters difficult

It's always changing, its dynamic and encompasses different abilities such as complex analysis, to negotiation and being abreast of corporate and banking law etc. I also have to immerse myself in different industries depending on the markets and sectors a potential client may operate within.

Numeracy, literacy, maths, banking, accounting, law.

Ongoing professional development is requisite. There is also ongoing legal and regulatory requirements month on month. Beyond that there is plenty to subscribe to from financial modelling, management and negotiation, through to professional qualifications in banking, accounting or MBA's etc

Nov 2003 - Feb 2007 Joined RWE npower in graduate role within commercial markets as an analyst focusing on demand forecasting, energy pricing, and commodity risk reporting.

Feb 2007-Oct 2011 Joined Clydesdale Bank in an Acquisition Finance role, focusing on change of ownership transactions such as management buy-outs, buy-ins, refinancing, recaps etc. Gained Chartered Banker status.

Joined RBS as per current job description in Oct 2011

I can easily see myself staying within the banking and financial services sector given it is such a broad profession with many different types of role and options to work abroad. Equally I will consider going into Industry in either an Finance Director or Operations Director role and utilise the skills and experience gained to date. I may undertake additional financial qualifications such as CFA or CF, or in the long run an MBA if time permits.

Do internships or work placements. The experience gained in only a few months will stand them in really good stead to either achieve a permanent role or enable them to stand out in a graduate scheme selection process. What strikes most people who come into banking is the breadth of roles, especially in large organasiations. This helps to quickly dismiss the myth of a typical banker and the day to day job.