• The Master in Finance program offers a specific Corporate Finance track suitable for aspiring investment bankers.
• Students can gain industry knowledge through guest talks and study trips to countries like Hong Kong, London, and New York.
• The competitive investment banking application process is smoother with ESSEC Career Services and AlumnEye support.

Investment banking is an exciting career that involves working with large corporations, institutions, and governments.

Many of the world’s biggest investment banks, like J.P. Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup, have shaped financial markets worldwide.

With a job in investment banking comes the excitement of a fast-paced work life and generous remuneration—Glassdoor shared that investment bankers make US$288,000 annually on average in the United States.

However, these coveted roles take work. To secure a job in investment banking, one must have excellent analytical skills, be familiar with different industries and financial markets, and have the necessary people skills to build rapport with clients.

This is where ESSEC Asia-Pacific’s Master in Finance (MiF) comes in.

Rigorous Financial Training in Investment Banker Skills

At a basic level, the MiF program is designed to equip students with a broad range of skills to find success across the full spectrum of finance roles.

However, it also offers the chance to specialize in Corporate Finance, Financial Markets, and Fintech & Analytics track.

The Corporate Finance track, in particular, contains modules covering mergers and acquisitions, firm valuation, private equity, and financial modeling—all of which are particularly relevant to the work done by investment bankers, ensuring those who enter the field are more than equipped to take on the tasks.

Insights from Industry Experts

MiF students stand out simply because they have more industry exposure. On top of classes run by industry professionals, they also attend regular guest talks to learn more about work in the field and how financial institutions tackle new trends.

Some of these talks include professionals from investment banking, which is an ideal place to gain advice and network with veterans.

In addition, MiF students have study trips to major financial centers such as London, New York, or Hong Kong, where students can visit the offices of prestigious institutions.

Past trips have seen them visit companies such as Barclay’s, Bank of America-Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and more, where they gain a firsthand look into the life of an investment banker.

As a bonus, this also allows students to build valuable connections with professionals in investment banking—which can be an advantage during the job search.

Unparalleled Career Services Support

There are also career services support targeted at supporting investment banking applications.

These include mock interviews catered to students’ tracks and a two-day mock assessment center to simulate the case study and group interviews students will likely encounter.

“Going through these workshops is a chance to practice having political acumen and a structured thought process,” Career Services Advisor Theresa Chew explains.

“I learned that the summer internship application process is intense but also formulaic. With the right training, materials, and mindset, you optimize your chances,” Raphael Lambert, an alumnus from the class of 2021, affirms.

Specialized Training with AlumnEye

But what is the biggest boon to a MiF investment banking hopeful? AlumnEye, a training provider specialized in preparing applicants for opportunities in competitive sectors like investment banking.

“If I had to summarize what we deliver in terms of training, there are three components: one is practical—where and when to apply? One is technical. What finance technical questions will you have during your interviews, and how do you train for them? The third is behavioral, meaning how you should approach and prepare for your interview,” says Michael Ohana, founder of AlumnEye.

He adds that in addition to training, students get access to the AlumnEye platform, where candidates can share their experiences with major financial institutions and their tips for success.

The AlumnEye platform now has over 5,000 entries, making it an undeniable resource for students about to embark on their job application processes—in investment banking and otherwise.

It is with these factors: the MiF program’s rigorous curriculum, numerous networking opportunities, and support from Career Services and AlumnEye, that landing a coveted investment banking job is more than is doable for MiF students—so long as one puts in the effort.