Max, what is your background?
In 2017, I graduated from the University of Trier in Germany with a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree, specialising in derivatives and strategic management. During my bachelor and master studies, I worked for different banks, either as an intern or a working student, to gain practical experience in the field of private banking. I finished my master’s thesis on ‘Performance differences in volatility derivatives’ in October 2017.
Why did you apply for the Julius Baer Graduate Programme?
The Julius Baer Graduate Programme is held in high esteem thanks to the sophisticated recruiting process and its underlying structure: the opportunity to rotate between different departments allows participants to gain a view of the organisation from different angles. This not only enables the graduates to enhance their knowledge of different business areas but also allows them to establish an international network. The programme focuses on day-to-day work in all three rotations; having a senior manager as a mentor additionally opens doors to an even broader network and offers placement support for the preferred rotations. At this point, I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks to my mentors whose continuous support I truly appreciate. Furthermore, there are workshops and team-building events that facilitate exchange within the graduate community.
Which divisions have you worked for at Julius Baer?
Before I started the Graduate Programme, I worked for the Wealth and Tax Planning as well as the Business Transformation units in Luxembourg to help with the integration of Commerzbank International S.A. into Julius Baer Group. There I was able to catch the spirit of pure private banking for the first time. I started with the Graduate Programme after completing my master’s degree in October 2017. My first assignment was in the Business Architecture department. After nine months, I moved to the Business Management team in Singapore for my international assignment. There I supported the team in setting up our Joint Venture with Siam Commercial Bank before I started my third and current rotation in the CEO Office in Zurich at the beginning of 2019.
What did you like best about your function in Singapore?
My function in Business Management Asia allowed me to gain insights into the front-related functions of the Bank. Since my professional background until then had largely been based in COO-related functions, I wanted to take the opportunity to better understand the front units. In my view, this is crucial in order to provide our clients with a better service. Without the Graduate Programme, it would be difficult to get such deep insights from different perspectives. Furthermore, the programme allows me to get to know different people and processes throughout the Bank.
What is important to you in your future career?
Leveraging the network I have built up during the Graduate Programme is one of the most important aspects for my further career. I am curious to see what the future will bring!
Further information
Are you interested in learning more about the Julius Baer Graduate Programme? Our dedicated Graduate Programme manager, Tamara Vecchio, would be delighted to provide you with additional information on +41 (0)58 887 6995 or at tamara.vecchio@juliusbaer.com.