This summer, we were delighted to welcome Marcus to Berry & Oak for a three-day work experience placement during his GCSE break. From the outset, Marcus showed a genuine curiosity about financial planning and a strong willingness to get involved in every area of the business.

Here’s what Marcus had to say about his experience:

During the summer of my GCSEs, I was fortunate to be offered work experience at Berry & Oak. I spent three days there, during which I gained valuable insights and learned a variety of skills. The experience was well-structured and designed to give me a comprehensive understanding of the different aspects of the business.

On my first day, I spent some time in paraplanning, where I saw firsthand how client demands are translated into actionable plans. Later, I had the opportunity to sit in on a client meeting. It was clear to me how much attention to detail and time Berry & Oak dedicates to ensuring their clients have a smooth and enjoyable experience. This was especially evident through Andrew’s impressive interpersonal skills and extensive knowledge of the profession. He was able to adapt the client’s financial plan to accommodate their changing needs and goals, this further demonstrated to me the firm’s dedication to offering clients a personalised service.

In addition, I acquired various new IT skills throughout my time at Berry & Oak which I am sure will be helpful for any future placements or jobs I may find myself in. The team was incredibly supportive, always ready to offer guidance and help, whether it was with specific tasks or general queries about the profession and business.

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work at Berry & Oak and would like to thank everyone involved in making my work experience both enjoyable and informative.

Why We Value Work Experience

At Berry & Oak, we believe that offering work experience is not only beneficial for young people, but also for us as a firm. It gives students like Marcus the opportunity to explore financial planning as a profession, helping them to connect classroom learning with real-world application. It also gives them a chance to see the importance of professionalism, attention to detail and client care in action.

For us, it’s rewarding to play a part in inspiring the next generation of talent. Work experience brings fresh perspectives and questions that make us reflect on what we do and how we do it. We hope these placements help young people make informed decisions about their next steps whether that’s further study, training or considering a career in financial planning.

Looking Ahead

We were really impressed by Marcus’s enthusiasm, maturity and thoughtful approach to his placement. He embraced every opportunity to learn and made a great contribution during his time with us.

We’d like to thank Marcus for joining us and wish him every success in the future, we’re confident he has a bright path ahead of him!