Location: London
Programme: 10 week returnship
Start date: Q1 2021 (subject to change dependent on the COVID-19 situation)
For more than 100 years, Fitch has been a leading independent provider of essential financial information and services to the global financial markets. As they enter a new era of market complexity and fast-paced innovation, Fitch is committed to becoming an employer of choice that attracts, develops and retains top talent. They continue to differentiate themselves with a concerted drive to promote diversity and inclusion through their talent programs, and throughout Fitch culture. The program exemplifies this philosophy with its clear success in helping Fitch to access finance professionals with a broad range of skills and experiences. The CreditPath Programme was launched in 2017 in New York and has since expanded to London, Frankfurt, Barcelona and Chicago.
Programme Details
Fitch CreditPath is a 10-week, full-time paid internship that welcomes financial services professionals who are ready to re-enter the workforce after taking an extended break from their careers. Fitch provides a highly supportive programme environment through a customized curriculum and on-the-job learning. Participants acquire in-demand skills that will make them competitive for full-time positions in credit analysis, research and related fields. Because of Fitch’s size and scale, and the flexibility offered by the depth of existing training platforms, they are able to offer a customized experience, based on each participant’s unique background and needs, to supplement the core CreditPath curriculum. The programme is designed to expand the participant’s professional and technical skills and therefore, enjoy a smooth transition back to work.
What are they offering?
From your first day, you will begin an immersive learning boot camp that covers elaborate learning sessions, mentoring and special projects designed to enhance your knowledge, skills and abilities. CreditPath has a customized curriculum that covers credit and macro analysis and other relevant topics, as well as professional skills like communication and collaboration. After the boot camp portion of the programme, you will be placed in a role with defined responsibilities that will allow you to make an impactful contribution to your team while building on your skills and previous work experience. At the conclusion of the program, there is the potential to be offered a permanent role within the organisation.
The 10-week programme will now start in Q1 2021 (subject to change dependent on the COVID-19 situation)
Who are they looking for?
Successful applicants will have:
- For a Ratings placement – experience in credit, ratings, or financial/professional services sector
- For a Solutions placement – demonstrable strategic thinking capabilities and experience in either product management/development; information/data sales; or macro research
- 4+ years of work experience prior to career break
- 3+ years career break
- Strong desire and ability to return to the workforce
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with an ability to convey complex ideas and solutions concisely and persuasively
- A collaborative mindset and ability to operate within both departmental and company-wide initiatives both on an individual basis and as part of a team
- A track record of project execution or sales delivery
About the organisation
Fitch Group is a global leader in financial information services with operations in more than 30 countries. Fitch Group is comprised of: Fitch Ratings, a global leader in credit ratings and research; Fitch Solutions, a leading provider of credit market data, analytical tools and risk services; and Fitch Learning, a preeminent training and professional development firm. With dual headquarters in London and New York, Fitch Group is owned by Hearst.
How to apply
If you are interested, apply early, as space is limited. Candidates will be evaluated on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. Click here to apply for the London Programme.
Along with your CV and application details, please attach a personal statement (approximately 500 words) describing how your previous experience has prepared you for the CreditPath programme. In this essay, Fitch would like to understand your interest in this programme and how you and Fitch can mutually benefit from your participation.
If you have questions, please email creditpath@fitchratings.com
To learn more, visit: Fitch Group CreditPath
Reflections of CreditPath UK Graduates
FUND & ASSET MANAGER RATINGS
My CreditPath experience: It was fantastic and that’s due to the structure of the program, the support we received, and how genuinely nice everyone is!
How incoming CreditPath participants can prepare for their journey: Be ready to completely immerse yourself in it. It’s a very intensive program but it has so much to offer. If you can really embrace it in its totality you’ll get so much out of it. Learn as much as you can and make use of what you’ve learnt, take initiative, and ask questions. Don’t be shy because everyone is really approachable.
Advice for women returning to work from a break: You have to plan and anticipate the challenges ahead of you, be it organizing childcare or planning for your commute. Be aware of possible challenges that come with being away from home, come up with a plan B and possible solutions
CORPORATE RATINGS – EMEA
My CreditPath experience: The program is a safe environment for coming back to work and the training helped eliminate my initial fear of jumping into a new role after being away for so long.
Challenges faced after returning to work from an extended break: The biggest challenge has been organizing childcare while I’m at work. Being with my children had been my primary role so I had to plan for an effective transition away from them. I prepared the children emotionally and let them know that I am still mummy and that although I’m spending majority of my day at work, I will be home at the end of the day to put them to bed.
Advice for women returning to work from a break: What I found most valuable were discussions with people who have had the experience; they will serve as a good support system. It’s not always easy to be noticed after taking a long break so definitely take advantage of any recruitment programs available and then you’ll be well on your way!
Thoughts from Senior Leadership at Fitch
EILEEN FAHEY, CREDITPATH SPONSOR, CHIEF RISK OFFICER
“Fitch aims to be the leading credit rating agency for transparent and reliable credit views. As part of this mission, Fitch has a strong commitment to analytical development and is well positioned to provide a re-entry for people reinvigorating their careers. The CreditPath program is a natural offshoot from our well –developed Fitch Credit Academy. I am confident CreditPath will provide an analytical boost to participants that are returning to the workforce via Fitch.”