Some
of London’s leading investment banks are hoping to prompt more women to
consider a career in the City by taking part in a work experience initiative
aimed at female graduates.
Capital
Chances – women in investment banking will give 300 female undergraduates from
leading universities experience of working at 20 investment banks and fund
management companies that are part-sponsoring the scheme.
The
initiative, which is also sponsored by London Business School and Reuters and
supported by Opportunity Now, aims to challenge stereotypes that have built-up
over the years about the City’s male-dominated work culture.
Clara
Freeman, chairwoman of Opportunity Now, commented: "We are enormously
encouraged by the positive response to Capital Chances. Investment banks see
that recruiting, retaining and developing women is central to their future
success and are seeking ways of doing it."
Each
first year student taking part in the scheme will experience life at two
organisations.
Over
an intensive 24-hours, they will participate in business games and tour the
banks’ offices. They will also have the chance to meet senior City figures, and
talk to recent graduates and graduate recruitment teams.
As
a result of last year’s initiative, 68 per of students who attended applied for
internships.
