Laura NG
Master in International Finance
From the targeted and customizable curriculum to career coaching and the excellent alumni network, the program has helped me carve out my ‘niche’ in the broad field of finance.
Why did you decide to join the MiF Master at HEC Paris?
During my Bachelor I discovered my interest in Finance and knew that this would be the field I want to start my career in, so I was looking for a school and a program that would provide (1) excellent academic education, (2) very good placement for front-office finance jobs in financial hubs around the globe (e.g. London, Paris, Frankfurt), (3) a strong alumni network. For me, the MIF at HEC ticked all of these boxes, so I decided to join.
What is your biggest takeaway from your experience within the program?
What left a lasting impression were two statements I came across during the introduction week at HEC: (1) “The more you bleed in training, the less you bleed in war” and (2) “Alone you go fast, together you go far”.
While the first statement might seem intimidating at first glance, it actually helped me a lot during busy times at HEC but also during my internship and full-time Investment Banking job, because it reminded me that every stressful and sometimes even painful phase in your life can be seen as ‘growing pains’ and a sign of development, helping you to get better at whatever it is that you are doing. I think having this positive growth mindset is crucial in achieving your goals.
The second statement forms part of the core DNA of HEC for me, which is an emphasis on team spirit, camaraderie, and the notion that with joint efforts you can have a bigger positive impact than by yourself.
What is your current job? What types of responsibilities do you have?
I am currently working as an Investment Professional at a Private Equity house, after having worked in Investment Banking before.
My key responsibilities revolve a lot around analytical work and modelling e.g. during the diligence phase of a deal, which is not too different from what you do on the sell-side.
The key difference is that instead of merely executing, my day-to-day involves much more critical thinking from an investor’s standpoint and trying to not only answer the ‘what’ with my work and analyses but also the ‘so what’, in order to back or reach an investment decision.
How did you find your job?
I knew someone in my current team, who told me more about his day-to-day, which sounded super interesting. So, when I received an inbound from a recruitment firm, asking whether I would like to enter the recruitment process, I was happy to do so.
How did the program help define your career path and secure your job?
The MIF helped me carve out my ‘niche’ in the broad field of finance, due to the targeted and customizable curriculum. In my case, that meant choosing the ‘Corporate Finance’ track within the MIF, since I’ve always been more drawn to this particular area in finance. Thanks to this specialization, I was able to take classes that were very relevant to my career, such as LBO Modelling, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity.
On top of the tailored academic experience, HEC also offers excellent career coaching, helping you prepare for interviews and connecting you with alumni in a field you are interested in to get smart about the realities of their job and their experience.
What are your long-term career aspirations, and how will having a MiF Master help you achieve those aspirations?
Long-term aspirations and certainty are always somewhat negatively correlated, so although I don’t know exactly what the future holds, I would like to stay an Investment Professional long-term.
The MIF has helped me to set all the right conditions for my career journey from the start to make this happen – from relevant classes to career coaching to the broad and excellent alumni network.
Any advice for students considering joining the MiF Master and wishing to follow the same career path?
I would 100% recommend joining the MIF, if you see your future career in finance, as you will not only be able to get excellent education and great career support but also join a wonderful community of like-minded people, many of which you will be able to call your close friends at the end of the program.