This summer I am working in the investment banking division of UBS in Sydney. More specifically, I am in the resources team and primarily dealing in equity-based transactions.

The first week of my internship consisted of training, both external (Excel/Bloomberg) and business specific (IBD), and an introduction to the various aspects and divisions of the UBS business. It was also during this week that I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know my fellow interns; a great group of people who I look forward to working with over summer.

After this, it was time to get down to business. My first day started with usual meet-and-greet and setting up before a pep talk by a director of global industrials, outlining the high standards of work and conduct expected of us interns. Specifically, he focussed on the importance of continually asking questions, attention to detail, and professionalism. He also encouraged us to work in multiple teams or sectors where possible.

The first week was well and truly a ‘no-frills’ introduction to what it is like to work in the investment banking industry. Unbeknown to me, my team was involved in the late stages of a few significant transactions at the time I started, so it was pretty much all on from the word go. A number of different tasks were sent my way throughout the week, some reasonably straightforward and others not so. For the latter, it was very comforting to know that everyone in my team (and others) were more than happy to help out, even at 1.30am.

Most nights I finished up around midnight, although admittedly a few were closer to sunrise rather than sunset! While the hours are long, the work is interesting and you are continually learning along the way, so it feels like a very rewarding exercise. Also, as you find yourself doing work for several different people and on several different topics, there is a lot of variety in your workload, which helps keep things interesting. When a friend asked me last week what working in IB was like, I said it’s just like doing exams every day, but far more interesting and exciting and you’re surrounded by great people.

Over the coming weeks I look forward to gaining exposure to further resources deals, and hopefully do some work in the equity capital markets division if possible. I also hope to develop my financial modelling skills and, most importantly, learn as much as I can from those around me.

Marcus Hamilton is a UBS IBD intern in Sydney. He is studying for a Bachelor of Law and Commerce at the University of Western Australia.