Akshat

Wealth & Personal Banking Degree Apprentice at LIBF

Meet Akshat

1. Hey Akshat! Can you give us a quick intro?

I’m Akshat, originally from India, but I’ve been living in Horsham, West Sussex since 2015. I’m currently in my second year of a Wealth & Personal Banking Degree Apprenticeship, studying at the London Institute of Banking and Finance.

2. What made you choose financial services?

I’ve always been interested in how money works and how it impacts people's lives. Financial services felt like the perfect mix of helping people manage their finances while also offering a lot of variety and challenges in the role. Plus, it’s a field where you’re constantly learning, which I love!

Life as an Apprentice

3. What’s your work schedule like?

I work a 35-hour week, with 20% of my time set aside for study (Tuesdays). I go into the office three days a week, and the dress code is smart casual – no suits needed unless your team is more formal. My office days are typically Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

4. How was the shift from school to work life?

It was tough at first. It took me about a year to get used to corporate life, and I still find it hard to balance personal and professional life sometimes.

5. What are your main responsibilities?

I connect with employees from our partner companies and figure out what financial products our international customers need. I also work with the Premier Relationship Managers and the onboarding team to make sure everything runs smoothly.

6. What does a typical day look like for you?

I work on building relationships with our partnered companies and help international customers with their financial needs. I also work closely with different teams and keep a journal of what I learn.

7. What are the best and worst parts of the job?

The best part is how helpful everyone is – if I ask questions, people are happy to support me. The hardest part is juggling all my responsibilities, but the free medical insurance is a great perk!

8. What's the biggest challenge you've faced?

Staying engaged because I have ADHD. To manage that, I look for extra projects and opportunities outside my regular work.

9. What skills have you gained?

My communication, time management, and data analysis skills have all improved a lot since I started.

The Journey to Get Here

10. What A-levels did you take, and why an apprenticeship?

I took maths, geography, and physics. I knew I didn’t want to go to uni because I wanted more hands-on experience rather than more classroom learning.

11. And how did your parents feel about your choice?

At first, they were unsure because they thought uni was the only path to success. But they came around once they understood what an apprenticeship offers.

Finding an Apprenticeship

12. How did your find your apprenticeship?

There wasn’t much info out there, so I had to dig around on different websites. I also spoke to my career advisor, which helped, but even they didn’t have all the answers since apprenticeships were still pretty new at the time.

13. How many apprenticeships did you apply for?

I’m not exactly sure – I think I applied for about 12 to 15. Each one had its own process – different application processes, assessment centres, and interviews. It wasn’t centralised, like with UCAS, so I had to do everything separately. But prepping by researching the companies really helped me stay on top of it.

14. How did you prepare for apprenticeship interviews?

I did a lot of research on the companies I applied to, especially their values and what they stood for. It helped me understand if I was a good fit for them. I also practised answering common interview questions.

Akshat's Top Tips for You

15. Any advice for students thinking about apprenticeships?

Aim for good grades to keep your options open, but that’s not the be-all and end-all. Start networking early, and don’t be afraid to be yourself.

16. Why is it so important to be yourself?

I found that being genuine in interviews helped me connect with people. Companies aren’t just looking at your qualifications—they want to know if you’re a good fit for their culture.

17. What's your biggest takeaway for students reading this interview?

Keep an open mind, stay curious, and remember: university isn’t the only path to success. Apprenticeships are a great way to learn, earn, and get a degree at the same time!

Fun Stuff!

18. What do you do for fun?

I love travelling and try to visit a new country every year.

19. What music are you into?

Jazz all the way!

20. Burger or pizza?

Definitely a beef burger!