I started as a trainee in First Securities because it gave me a unique opportunity to get to know the financial world through one of Norway’s leading broking teams.  As a graduate with a Masters in Industrial Mathematics, specialising in statistics, I was unsure as to my career choices, but I chose finance in order to get to the heart of a dynamic professional setting whilst at the same time getting the chance to learn more.   As a mathematician and statistician, I can’t say that I use my academic skills to their fullest extent on a daily basis, but it feels very exciting to learn more about economics and company valuations.  I chose Fist securities because it was a decent sized broking team where thorough analysis was highly valued.

During my first year, I worked as an assistant to Peter Hermanrud, who is the chief strategist and head of stock analysis in First Securities.  The work duties consisted of updating and maintaining his models and assisting him in market analysis.  Working so closely with some of the best people in the industry is exciting and at the same time it provides valuable experience.   My second station in the trainee programme was as part of the energy team and this is where I work today.  The work duties here generally entail company analysis of Norwegian oil companies and the oil market in general.  It is exciting to follow companies closely, watching how their investments impact results and how developments in the news impact market pricing.

Working in the financial industry is no 9-5 job, but seems to allow for many opportunities to develop both friends and personal relationships.  It might be necessary to work two or three nights a week, but there has never been a time that I went home because things were bad at work.  With challenges and the drive to develop, it's rather just a lack of time that is the problem. 

In the end, I would say that First Securities is a group of people who are not only very smart, but also very friendly.  We have fun together both at work and on our social nights on Fridays.  As a trainee, I have been well-received from day one and I definitely feel that an investment is made in us – something that again provides a good foundation for a future career.  Being a trainee in First Securities is a perfect start to a career for anyone wishing to work in finance. 

Tormod.