How the ISFB Summer School helps young talent plan their careers in banking

April 23, 2026

Finding your first job after graduating from college is a demanding process that goes far beyond simply sending out applications. First and foremost, it involves understanding a particular industry and coming to terms with its expectations. Next, it involves identifying the various career paths within that industry and beginning to envision yourself in them with credibility.  This is the philosophy behind the ISFB Summer School, designed as a bridge between the academic and professional worlds, with an intensive in-person program intended for current or future holders of a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.

A pivotal transition from school to the workforce

Entering the job market after college is a major milestone, often more challenging than one might think. It is not just a matter of landing a job, but of successfully making the transition: leaving a relatively structured academic setting to enter a professional environment with its own norms, expectations, and realities. In Switzerland, entering the workforce after completing a university degree in economics is not always immediate or perfectly aligned with initial expectations. A significant proportion of graduates report facing difficulties in finding a position that matches their aspirations. In practice, the job search often spans several months and involves submitting numerous applications, before the majority eventually join the private sector within a year of graduation. (CSFO, 2025).

In this context, the challenge is not simply to “find something,” but rather to turn a university education into a clear career path. The ISFB Summer School addresses this need by offering ten days of training, case studies, a bank visit, a hackathon, and preparation for HR interviews through mock interviews and professional guidance.

A program that provides concrete insights into careers in banking

As Christophe Nicod, Head of Continuing Education at the ISFB, points out, this program stands out because it does not merely provide general information about the banking sector; rather, it helps participants move from an often vague—and sometimes even romanticized—idea to a concrete understanding of the sector and the many professions within it, its requirements, and what it can offer young talent. This dedicated and unique value proposition within the sector aligns perfectly with the ISFB’s role and mission as a professional association to support training, skills development, employability, and careers in the banking and financial sector in French-speaking Switzerland.

The program’s strength lies in its practical focus. The Summer School does more than simply teach banking and finance; it also connects this knowledge to real-world scenarios, industry professionals, and the concrete demands of the market. In a recent testimonial, an enthusiastic participant highlighted the rare opportunity to establish direct contacts with the banking world, as well as the invaluable support for her career development provided by gaining a more concrete understanding of the sector and its professions.

Direct action

Thus, the ISFB Summer School’s value lies not in an implicit promise of job opportunities, but in the quality of the environment it provides for challenging one’s perception of the market and shaping a truly personal and distinctive career plan. The presence of various experts currently working at member banks, as well as HR specialists in the banking sector, further enhances the value of this opportunity. It grounds the program in practical experience and offers young talents a rare chance to refine their perspective, approach, and understanding of the sector’s recruitment dynamics.

Understand the industry, build confidence, and improve your positioning

From the perspective of career counseling psychology, this transitional phase is particularly important. Stéphane Bonzon, a career counseling psychologist on the ISFB Career Development team, emphasizes in his work that effective support in a context of uncertainty and constant reinvention does not involve providing a ready-made solution, but rather helping individuals clarify and mobilize the resources they can draw upon to take control of their careers and build their own professional and personal paths. This approach is particularly relevant for recent graduates who must transform their academic background into a credible career plan.

With this in mind, the Summer School is not a substitute for personal initiative or the effort required to apply. Nor does it allow you to bypass the selection process used by employers. However, it can help you better articulate your interests, gain a deeper understanding of your target industry, improve how you present yourself, and enter the job market with greater clarity, all while building a relevant professional network during the two-week training program.

As Evelyne Rechenmann, head of the Career Development Center at ISFB, points out, entering the job market isn’t just about academic skills. It also depends on the ability to position oneself, understand employers’ expectations, and receive the right support at the right time. And that time is now: that’s what the Summer School is for.

© Institut Supérieur de Formation Bancaire (ISFB). All rights reserved.
The analyses and content published by the ISFB may be quoted or reproduced in part, provided that the source is clearly mentioned. Any full or substantial reproduction of this article in another medium or format is subject to the prior written authorization of the ISFB. In order to facilitate reading and without any intention of discrimination, the masculine gender is generally used, in accordance with the grammatical rule that allows it to be used as a neutral value to refer to a group of people comprising both men and women. This publication is intended for ISFB members and their employees in Switzerland, as well as anyone interested in finance in Switzerland. It is not intended to be read or distributed in any jurisdiction where its distribution would be prohibited.

The ISFB Summer School

The program is designed for recent college graduates who want to gain hands-on experience in banking, gain a better understanding of the industry, and refine their career goals.

Entering the job market isn’t just about academic skills. It also depends on the ability to market oneself, understand employers’ expectations, and receive the right support at the right time

Evelyne Rechenmann