FSA x UNIT Investment Banking Event Recap

On Tuesday, the 29th of April, the Finance Students’ Association, alongside UNIT, kicked off their Investment Banking Mentorship Program with a much-anticipated panel event. The two associations have once again collaborated to make this unique program possible - providing applicants with the opportunity to be mentored by bankers from firms such as Lazard, Jarden, UBS, Macquarie, Bank of America and more.

The sold-out panel event allowed students applying to the mentorship program, or those simply interested in the high-finance industry, an opportunity to gain real-world insights from five investment-banking analysts, and an associate, followed by a networking component with additional industry representatives.

The panel gave a variety of insights into each of the panellists’ unique journeys; from those who took more ‘traditional’ routes - completing a summer internship before returning as a graduate analyst - to those who revealed that pathways into investment banking don't have to be perfectly linear. These stories shed light on an industry more accessible than attendees perhaps once thought, with a variety of unique pathways possible.

Some of the analysts on the panel, fresh off internships and graduate experiences, also enlightened the audience on the importance of honing skills beyond technical abilities. They dived into how curiosity, initiative and a genuine passion for the job are some of the most commonly cited soft skills that can give juniors an edge. Lazard’s associate, Leon Sojan, also gave students a valuable insight into the recruitment process. Leon told students to prepare for more than just the standard technical questions which can be found online. Rather, students should be ready for nuanced valuation questions, and can stand out by citing their favourite deals that they have followed, or even by sharing the rationale behind their personal investment portfolios.

While the panellists spoke of their passion and excitement for their roles, the investment banking industry is, of course, not without its challenges. Although the myth of bankers pulling regular ‘all-nighters’ was debunked, workdays were confirmed to sometimes go into the AM, with juniors in particular typically expected to take on many demanding tasks. It isn’t all doom and gloom though, as the panellists also shared stories that exhibited the camaraderie and familial nature that can echo through after-hours at the office, a sentiment that may challenge a dominant perception of the industry as exclusively hyper-competitive. 

The  networking component of the night allowed the panellists, along with additional industry representatives, to answer students’ burning questions, further unpack the industry, and forge genuine connections. Applicants of the program can hope to strengthen these connections over coffee, with successful applicants set to be personally mentored by bankers starting on May 19.