Much of ECS's work is with international families: Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Mumbai, Lagos, New York. The children target London and New York for careers at Goldman Sachs, Blackstone, White & Case, and the Magic Circle. This is how the advisory works for families outside the United Kingdom.
Built for International Families
Elite Careers Strategy is a London-based practice, and much of its work is with international families. The clients come from Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Mumbai, Lagos, New York, and across the EMEA, Middle East, Asia, and GCC regions. The children are typically aged fifteen to twenty-two, studying at UK or US universities (or boarding schools targeting UK/US university entry), and aiming for the London and New York jobs that define the ceiling in corporate law and investment banking.
The practice works across time zones, in English. Every engagement is led personally by Hassan Akram via video call, with in-person sessions available for London-based families.
Why international families face a different challenge
An international family investing in a UK or US education for their child faces a specific set of barriers that domestic families do not:
1. The university careers service does not serve them. UK university careers services are designed for domestic students applying to domestic firms via on-campus recruiting. An international student from Singapore studying at a UK university that is not on Goldman Sachs's target list receives no structured pathway into Goldman Sachs from the university itself.
2. The stakes can feel higher. Many international families have invested heavily in schooling, boarding, tuition, relocation and visas before the child reaches the application stage, and the pressure on the child to secure an offer can be considerable.
3. The child is competing against candidates with institutional support. A candidate at Oxford or LSE applying to Goldman Sachs has a dedicated careers service, on-campus recruiting events, alumni networks, and peer groups who have been through the process before. An international student at a non-target university often has far less of this. Private preparation is one way to close part of that gap.
How ECS compensates for the gap
The ECS framework suite was developed by Hassan Akram from his recruitment experience and ECS advisory work. The frameworks apply to every candidate regardless of nationality, university or academic background. They help close part of the institutional support gap by providing structured, one-to-one preparation for each stage.
The specific frameworks:
The documented proof for international families
Named and anonymised examples from ECS's documented record:
What the record shows is candidates from a range of universities and academic starting points reaching elite firms after structured preparation. It does not show that preparation removes the effect of university or grades, and ECS does not claim that it does.
The parent's role
Parents are part of every engagement. A parent must be present on the diagnostic call when the candidate is under twenty-two. This is a non-negotiable rule, not a preference. The diagnostic assesses the child's profile against the target firms' published requirements and ECS's experience of their processes, and gives the parent a clear, honest picture of what can realistically be improved and what the engagement would involve.
The pricing conversation happens on the diagnostic call, in private, once the assessment is complete. It is never discussed in writing.
How to reach ECS from outside the United Kingdom
Apply at https://www.accessecs.com/start. The form takes three minutes. The ECS Client Team will respond within twenty-four hours with the next available family diagnostic slot. All diagnostics are conducted via video call. Time zones are accommodated.
For families referred by a private bank, family office, or institutional partner, please mention the referral source in the application so the Client Team can flag it for priority handling.
London based. International families welcome. By application only.
Frequently asked
Does ECS work with families outside the United Kingdom?
Yes. Much of ECS's work is with international families. Clients come from Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Mumbai, Lagos, New York, and across the EMEA, Middle East, Asia, and GCC regions. All engagements are conducted in English via video call.
Can my child apply to London firms while studying at a US university?
Yes. Candidates at US universities can apply to London offices, and the frameworks apply to London and New York hiring processes alike.
Is the Private Careers Advisory suitable for children still at boarding school?
Yes. ECS works with families whose children are aged fifteen and above. For younger candidates, the engagement typically focuses on early pathway planning: university selection, A-level or IB subject strategy, and early work experience positioning.
How do I apply from overseas?
Apply at https://www.accessecs.com/start. The form takes three minutes. Diagnostics are conducted via video call in English. Time zones are accommodated.
Can I mention my private bank or family office when I apply?
Yes. Please mention any referral source (private bank, family office, institutional partner) in the application so the ECS Client Team can flag it for priority handling.
Apply the Frameworks With Guidance
Book a diagnostic call with Hassan.
The diagnostic is a structured, no-obligation call to assess your specific position, identify the gaps in your current approach, and determine whether an ECS Private Careers Advisory engagement is the right investment.
Apply for a Diagnostic