Catalog Career development Summer School

Summer School

Context

The Swiss banking sector, particularly in French-speaking Switzerland, is a key player in the economy and a natural outlet for many university graduates. Many of them struggle to find their first job due to a lack of practical experience and knowledge of banking-specific professions. This Summer School has been designed as a bridge between the academic and professional worlds. It aims to boost the employability of young graduates by providing them with knowledge applied to the field through the intermediary of practitioners active in banking and finance, real-life situations, and a better understanding of the internal workings of financial establishments.

Key objectives

- Understand the organization of the Swiss banking sector and the diversity of its professions.
- Acquire practical knowledge that can be used directly in the workplace.
- Participate in a supervised Hackathon within a formal educational framework.
- Obtain a certificate recognized by partner banks, which can be used on the job market.
- Prepare for HR interviews with simulations, real interviews and professional coaching.

Target audience

- Students at the end of their bachelor's or master's degree who wish to enter the banking sector
- Young graduates looking for a first rewarding experience.
- Academics changing careers or looking for additional professional skills.

Stakeholders

Experts working for ISFB member banks and
banking HR specialists.

Price

Public : CHF 1'950.-

Admission requirements

Acceptance by application. Participants must hold a bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree, or be in the process of obtaining one.

SC1

Introduction to the world of banking and finance

Contents : - Structure of the Swiss banking sector, key players and professions
- Role of finance in the economy: types of banks and main functions

Format: In-person

SC2

Private Banking & Wealth Management (PB/WM)

Contents: - Main products and services: accounts, savings, loans and personal protection
- The role of the customer advisor in supporting individual customers
- Case studies: account opening interview and identification of needs
- Introduction to KYC obligations: customer identification and the fight against money laundering

Format: In-person

SC3

Retail Banking

Contents: - Principles of dealing with high-net-worth customers
- Wealth management tools, management mandates and asset allocation
- Workshop: advising a fictitious customer according to his risk profile
- Integrating sustainable finance: taking ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) criteria into account in savings and credit products, raising customer awareness of responsible investments

Format: In-person

SC4

Investment products and financial markets

Contents: - How markets work, basic financial products
- Concepts of risk, diversification and performance
- Workshop: building and monitoring a simplified portfolio

Format: In-person

SC5

Real estate financing and mortgages

Contents : - Types of real estate loans and stages of financing
- Notions of foresight in relation to real estate acquisition
- File study: feasibility analysis and credit decision

Format: In-person

SC6

Coporate Banking

Contents : - Understanding the needs of SMEs and large companies
- Reading and interpreting balance sheets to grant credit
- Case study: How to finance an SME? Identifying needs and choosing the right credit solutions

Format: In-person

SC7

Sustainable finance

Contents : - Sources of sustainable finance (players, initiatives, etc.)
- ESG criteria
- Impact measurement
- Sustainable investment strategies
- Sustainable investment vehicles

Format: In-person

SC8

Hackathon: innovation and real-life case-solving

Content: - Team work on a real problem proposed by a partner bank

Format: In-person

SC9

Developments in the financial world

Contents: - Fintech, crypto, blockchain, artificial intelligence
- Workshop: building a watch on a trend of your choice

SC10

Job market trends

Contents : - Analysis of the impact on banking professions

Format: In-person

SC11

Insight profile

Contents : - Identifying your behavioral profile
- Getting to know yourself better to better position yourself in an interview
- Group coaching on your strengths and areas for improvement

Format: In-person

SC12

Network development

Contents : - Building, activating and maintaining your network

Format: In-person

SC13

Career orientation workshop

Contents: - Identifying your professional project in the banking sector
- Creating an effective CV and writing a targeted cover letter
- Personal pitch for use in interviews and networking sessions

Format: In-person

SC14

Action plan development and photo workshop

Contents : - Drawing up a post-certificate professional action plan
- Exchange with an ISFB coach
- Photo session with professional photographer

Format: In-person

SC15

Role-playing and preparation for HR interviews

Contents : - Coaching to refine your personal storytelling
- Speed recruiting simulation with HR representatives from the banking sector
- Exercise in answering difficult and unsettling questions

Format: In-person

SC16

Interviews with HR

Contents : - Real-life meetings with recruiters from partner banks (BCGE, BCV, Raiffeisen, Swissquote)
- One-to-one interviews in real-life conditions, as in a real recruitment process
- Direct, personalized feedback on your profile, your pitch and your hiring potential

Format: In-person

Training today the talents of tomorrow's finance professionals

ISFB

"In Geneva, the ISFB has created a unique bridge between the university and the banking world: the Summer School. During two intensive weeks, this event immersed young graduates and final-year students in the reality of finance careers, bringing them into close contact with key players in the field."

Read the interview