Make use of your amazing EDHEC alumni network
Can you tell us why you chose the EDHEC MIM in Financial Economics?
Having had no finance experience before joining EDHEC, I was keen on the EDHEC MiM because of the professional immersion year, which would give me the opportunity to gain some of that much-needed internship experience before hitting the job market. The fact that the MiM for EDHEC is on the French Riviera was just the icing on the cake.
You are CEEMEA Debt Capital Markets Analyst at Citi London. What are your missions?
I help Emerging Market issuers raise money through the international bond markets. Through my job, I not only support relatively small African corporates to access large sources of funding for the first time but also help experienced issuers like CEEMEA sovereigns raise money to fund their government budgets.
How did the MiM prepare you for your career? You are based in London. Can you share some intel on how you landed a job there?
The first and foremost thing was I put my foot in the door, through a spring internship and then a summer internship - it doesn't matter if you get the permanent job offer from these internships, they're still great networking and learning opportunities and look great on your CV! Thereafter, to get a permanent job, it's about applying relentlessly to various companies and reaching out to EDHEC alumni to put in a good network for you. Believe me, EDHEC alumni are your most valuable network: we're everywhere!
What is your biggest accomplishment so far?
I would say managing to do internships during my gap year in 3 different countries and 3 different parts of Banking. It helped me become certain that my final destination of CEEMEA DCM in London was truly where I wanted to be.
What is your best memory of EDHEC?
By far it would be having group meetings on the wonderful terrace of the EDHEC canteen. Nothing helped morale and creativity for an assignment more than brainstorming with your teammates under the Niçois sun.
What advice would you like to share with students and young graduates about career development?
Be determined and don't be afraid to make and learn from your mistakes during your attempts to get a job: believe me, you will make many mistakes and they will NOT mean anything in the long run. Also, being rejected by what you think is your dream company may turn out to be blessings in disguise: if things don't seem to be going the way you want, just adapt and maybe see if there are other career paths that may work better for you. The best way to do that is to make use of your amazing EDHEC alumni network! Reach out to us, check whether our companies have job openings, and present your most confident and best self to us! We're sure to help you out.
