Our Cadetship Program offers a unique proposition: the chance to take on real responsibility at a global investment bank while completing your university studies. It’s more than just a part-time job - it’s a career accelerator that allows students to apply their academic learning directly to real-world financial challenges. We sat down with four of our current and former Cadets - Tom, Gaya, Talia, and Rohin - to discuss their journeys, the projects they are driving, and how they balance life, study, and high-performance work.
Get to know our cadets and learn about their experiences
I am currently at the University of Sydney studying a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance & Econometrics. I joined UBS in 2024 and work in the Stock Borrow & Lending function within Investment Bank Operations. An average day involves managing trade flows for hedge funds, collaborating closely with traders to resolve exceptions, and overseeing UBS Australia’s collateral inventory to maintain seamless coverage across borrows and loans.
- Tom, Investment Bank Operations
I am a Bachelor of Economics student at UNSW, majoring in Finance. Since joining UBS in 2022, I’ve been working in Equities Research, specifically within the Emerging Companies team. Our job is to provide buy, sell, and hold recommendations on publicly listed Australian stocks to our clients. Every day is different, but it always starts with attending our morning meeting with the Equities Sales team.
- Gaya, Equities Research
I joined UBS in February 2023 and am currently working in the Prime Brokerage Franchise Sales Team in the Financing division within Global Markets. I’m also studying a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Sydney. My workload is largely shaped by the clients and prospects we are working with, spanning teams in Australia and the broader APAC region.
- Talia, Financing, Global Markets
I’m studying a Bachelor of Advanced Computing at the University of Sydney and joined the UBS Quant Solutions Team in 2024. My role allows me to connect my technical degree to the financial industry. An average day involves completing a range of tasks including script enhancements, testing, and communicating with vendors and business teams to meet client-driven demand.
- Rohin, Quant Solutions
I applied because the program offers a unique opportunity to take on real responsibility alongside my studies. It provides access to experienced mentors and the chance to understand how markets operate across the full trade life cycle. UBS offers a global platform where I can contribute to meaningful outcomes for clients while developing skills in process improvement, collaboration, and risk management.
- Tom, Investment Bank Operations
Pursuing a career in finance felt like a natural progression from the interests I developed throughout high school. Most importantly, I wanted to get my foot in the door early in a business area I knew I was passionate about. Starting my career as a Cadet allows me to build a strong foundation, gain industry insights, and establish connections that will be invaluable as I progress.
- Talia, Financing, Global Markets
It’s been incredibly formative. Professionally, it accelerated my pathway to a full-time role in Equities Research, allowing me to start in my fourth year of university. I was fortunate enough to spend three years in the Industrial Materials Research team before commencing a graduate role in the Emerging Companies team. I’ve gained exposure to financial modelling, writing company research, and presenting in morning meetings from day one.
- Gaya, Equities Research
The program has played a significant role in my development by giving me exposure to different areas of the bank and associated technologies through rotations. These rotations have helped me gain a stronger understanding of the financial industry while developing key technology and interpersonal skills. Working with colleagues based in London, Singapore, Hong Kong, and India has also strengthened my communication skills when working across different cultures.
- Rohin, Quant Solutions
Early in 2025, the team began coverage of DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (DGT.AX), a newly listed Australian digital infrastructure company. The project was exciting as UBS was one of the investment banks assisting DGT in its IPO process. The initiation of coverage involved building the financial model, writing a comprehensive research piece, and forming the investment thesis. I was also lucky enough to attend a site tour of one of the data centers to see how the ecosystem functions firsthand.
- Gaya, Equities Research
During my first year, I worked on developing UI components and layouts for a post-trade application in React, a JavaScript library for building user interfaces and components. It was my first UI project, and it was very exciting to see my work being used in a live production environment. During this project, I was also exposed to the requirements gathering process, collaborating with the business team to ensure the application met their needs.
- Rohin, Quant Solutions
An exciting moment in my role was being involved in the inaugural UBS Australia Hedge Fund Forum. This was the first time UBS has hosted an event of this kind in Australia in over ten years. The event brought together global and local hedge fund managers with the Australian institutional investor community. It was an amazing learning opportunity that demonstrated the importance of active participation in industry dialogue.
- Talia, Financing, Global Markets
"I think a lot of it comes down to staying curious. Whenever I’m faced with a complex problem, I don't just see a hurdle; I enjoy breaking it apart to see how the data flows, where the process might be sticking, and how it ultimately impacts our clients. Having such supportive managers has been a game-changer, too - they've encouraged me to ask 'why' and helped me turn that curiosity into practical solutions. That 'learn-by-doing' mindset has really allowed me to grow quickly and deliver results I’m proud of."
- Tom, Investment Bank Operations
"I wouldn't be where I am today without the incredible support network here. My immediate managers have been instrumental in my growth, but what’s really unique is that UBS also pairs us with mentors from entirely different teams. It’s that combination of technical guidance and outside perspective that has pushed me to take on new challenges I never thought I’d be ready for."
- Gaya, Equities Research
Your experience as a Cadet is what you make of it. Take advantage of the many training sessions, mentorship opportunities, and networking events offered through the program. Additionally, proactively seeking feedback and being open to constructive criticism is crucial. There will be times when the workload feels challenging, but approaching these moments with a positive mindset helps develop resilience.
- Talia, Financing, Global Markets
Be proactive in communication, share ideas, and look for simple ways to improve processes or introduce automation. Over time, these small enhancements build momentum and help you earn trust and confidence within your team. Be open to learning, as every opportunity to take on responsibility will support your professional growth.
- Tom, Investment Bank Operations
If you're looking for a way to combine your university studies with hands-on experience in the world of finance, our Cadetship Program might be the perfect fit. Explore our opportunities and learn how you can make an impact from day one: https://www.ubs.com/global/en/careers/early-careers/australia-cadetship.html
Interested in joining our team?
Interested in joining our team?
Visit our job board and you may find something perfect for you. We’re committed to disability inclusion and if you need reasonable accommodation/adjustments throughout our recruitment process, you can always contact us.