Successful Finance Graduates Offer Careers Advice

Using the Schools close corporate relations' in the world of finance in the City of London, a panel discussion with EDHEC graduates and recruiters working in leading banks in the City was organised by the Career Centre so students interested in Investment Banking careers can hear it straight from the mouths of the experts. The panel shared their personal and professional experiences and answered questions regarding their jobs, their companies and the recruitment process. They also offered invaluable tips on getting investment banking jobs and internships in the City, and provided insight on what is happening in the banking world today.


Profesor David Hampton, Programme Director of EDHEC's  MSc in Finance Programmes and the panel moderator initiated the discussion by asking our panellists to describe a day in their lives. Catherine Da Silva (Senior Vice President, Fixed Income, Leveraged Credit Sales at Lehman Brothers, London) from Class of 1996, with 12 years of experience in Merril Lynch and Lehman Brothers started by describing a  day in her fast-paced sales job. She also shared her insights on what it really takes to survive and succeed in Investment Banking Industry.

Amélie Charbonnier from the Class of 2008, now working as a full-time Analyst Credit hybrid, Trade capture, at JP MORGAN, London told the students about the challenges faced by people in their early career and high level of motivation is of utmost importance to excel in the job.

Accompanied by another recent graduate from Class of 2008, Vincent Favier, working in the Strategic Advisory, Global Banking Division at Dresdner Kleinwort, London also gave students a very good idea of the life in the early stages of a career in Global Banking.

Nicky Badrick working in Global Graduate Development, at BNP Paribas, London  joined us for the Round Table conference after spending the day with our students in the recruitment seminar telling the potential applicants which mistakes not to make while applying for internships and Graduate training programmes. Lack of preparation being the most seriously looked down upon in the recruitment process.
Andrew Jenkins (Managing Director of Carrington Fox Europe, London), Sales Trader turned head hunter shared with the students what they can expect this year amidst of financial crises and where they could potential placements.

Luigi Alessandro Isoletti, current student of Master in Management (Grande Ecole) programme  who pursued his summer internship at Morgan Stanley in  London this year gave real life examples from his two month stint in the industry and how he was offered a permanent position to join the Bank in the following year after the completion of his programme.

The frequent roundtable discussions organised at EDHEC are particularly helpful in assisting students in the orientation of their careers, opening up to a broader range of options and getting answers to questions that they may not be able to ask during the recruitment process. These kinds of events are a brilliant way to prepare for interviews as a complement to documentation centre and website research. For professionals, it is a chance to connect with graduates. The informal chats held after the roundtable often have great networking value for all involved. 52% of EDHEC graduates find their first jobs abroad and EDHEC has maximum international placements amongst the European business schools.

Preparation for the next round table event is already underway, details of which will follow shortly.