Camille Robert began his academic journey with two years in Classe Préparatoire Scientifique before graduating in General Engineering from Centrale Lille. He further specialized in Financial Engineering and Economics, earning a double degree with EDHEC Business School. Camille gained initial experience in asset management and structured products through internships at Amundi Asset Management and Nexo Capital. In the summer of 2024, he joined Electrum as a trainee, where he currently supports the trading team in developing and implementing strategies across financial and commodities markets. We sat down with him to learn more about his experiences and insights.

What is the advantage of gaining an experience at electrum, compared with a more institutional player?

The main advantage is that you get to join an entrepreneurial project right from the start. The comparatively small size of the team means that i can quickly acquire responsibilities, have easy access to top management and take part in strategic discussions within a collaborative and supportive environment. Despite this, the corporate culture remains demanding and focused on excellence. Overall, the entrepreneurial mindset required during my traineeship proved invaluable, enhancing not only my financial expertise but also my approach to problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation. This empowerment fostered a strong sense of ownership and accelerated my learning curve. Furthermore, the role’s international scope, involving a multicultural team and frequent travel across europe, broadened my perspective and adaptability.

How did the recruitment process go?

Recruitment was conducted well in advance through a highly structured process, culminating in a final assessment day at electrum’s paris offices, where all key stakeholders were present. I appreciated the opportunity to meet with team members multiple times, not just from the paris office but also from international locations. This approach demonstrated the company’s commitment to finding not just a 6-month intern, but a potential long-term team member who could grow into a full-time analyst role.

How was your traineeship structured? What have you learnt?

My daily tasks are numerous. Carried out under the benevolent guidance of my traineeship supervisor, they include fields as varied as market analysis, valuation of the derivatives portfolio, reconciliation of positions, var calculations, collateral management, performance reporting, contribution to risk monitoring tools, generation of trading ideas and management of a virtual portfolio. These multiple missions are made possible by the fact that i have all the necessary trading and analysis tools at my disposal, from a bloomberg terminal to dedicated research, programming tools and a library of reference works. This variety of assignments and tools means that i benefit from a particularly rapid learning curve and even prepares me to conduct my own trading strategies once i’ve been hired.

How was your work-life balance during this intership?

Despite the demanding nature of the work, i was pleasantly surprised by how well i was able to maintain a strong work-life balance. The structured yet flexible schedule allowed me to stay on top of my professional responsibilities while still dedicating 9 to 10 hours a week to my triathlon training. This balance was crucial as i prepared for the saintélyon ultra trail race. The supportive environment at electrum made it possible to excel both in the workplace and in my personal fitness goals, which was something i greatly valued during my time there.

What did you gain personally from this experience?

This traineeship was designed with the potential for a full-time role, creating a win-win dynamic where our interests were aligned. I was eager to contribute meaningfully, and in return, the management team was dedicated to investing in my growth. I was given real responsibilities and felt like a valued part of the team from day one.

The most rewarding aspect was the mentorship from senior members who generously shared their expertise. This not only expanded my technical skills but also deepened my understanding of financial markets. It was a truly enriching experience that sharpened my analytical abilities and prepared me for a potential career in the industry.

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