Shaping a Career in Finance: An ESCP Master in Management Experience
Could you introduce yourself and share your academic background?
Hi all, I’m Blanche. I joined ESCP for my pre-master year in Paris after two years of classes préparatoires ECS, with no definite plan regarding finance. Since the first year is a general course of study, I familiarized myself with everything related to management before setting my sights on finance. I spent two semesters abroad during my first year of the Master’s, and my second year in Paris, following three specializations: Investment Banking, Corporate Finance, and Financial Markets. This led me to start working in financial markets straight out of school.
What were the key reasons you chose ESCP’s Master in Management to pursue your specific interest in finance?
For post-prepa students, the choice is largely driven by the school’s ranking, and I was no exception. With the school’s Master in Finance ranked first worldwide and numerous finance specializations offered within the Master in Management, the tone was set. The opportunity to fully customize your course of study (campuses, exchanges, specializations, advanced courses, and electives), which I happily seized, along with the strong European values, ultimately convinced me.
Could you describe the typical teaching approach employed within these finance specializations?
I would say it is very hands-on. These specializations embody the philosophy of “learning by doing”: presentations, group projects, dozens of hours in our Bloomberg rooms, it is almost impossible to be passive in these courses. Additionally, thanks to both strong academic backgrounds and impressive professional experience, our teachers, with their diverse profiles, regularly encouraged open discussions, ranging from additional reading recommendations to what to expect in specific lines of work.
What is it like learning about finance within a truly international setting? How has this global perspective enriched your understanding?
Having teachers and students from numerous backgrounds and countries definitely gives you a new perspective. It might sound cliché to say that we do not all work the same way, and yet it is true. Not only did I learn from the course materials and professors, but also from group projects and classmates, which made the classes more comprehensive. It does make for funny moments when you end up in a fully French workplace, though English automatisms take a couple of days to rewire!
Please share some key insights or takeaways from any finance-related internships.
I chose to complete two diametrically opposed internships during my gap year, and yet, my main takeaway would be, quite frankly: everyone you meet at work, you might run into again. Be focused, curious, respectful, and hard-working. The impression you make will last, and finance is a smaller ecosystem than you might think. I would also add: an internship does not have to turn into a job for it to be worthwhile. What matters is learning, meeting new people, understanding how this line of work fits within your goals, and leaving satisfied with the work you did.
Could you talk about your internships? How did you choose them and how did they contribute to your learning experience?
The first one was as a structured products sales assistant. The atmosphere on the trading floor, the daily energy required, the team I was in, and the back and forth between structuring, trading, pricing, and communicating with clients made the long hours more than worth it. I loved it. I followed it with a structured financing internship in a corporate setting within the energy industry. Although it did not ignite the same spark, it gave me a new perspective on corporate finance and made me curious about this industry. How did they contribute to my learning experience? My Master’s thesis topic is a perfect blend of both internships!
What has been your experience navigating the finance sector as a woman?
Finance is not the most female-dominated workplace you will encounter, yet I do not find that it poses major issues. Aside from a couple of jokes in poor taste that get called out, I don’t believe my applications were neglected or boosted because of my gender, and both workplaces appeared fair in their HR policies. I am given my fair share of responsibilities. There is still some progress to be made, but thankfully, it is as good as any other sector, I would say.
Where do you see yourself 5 or 10 years from now?
I am currently working abroad as a structured products sales professional in a VIE position. I am glad to be doing this job and see myself remaining in financial markets. Although as much as I love sales, trading is calling to me… Nothing is set in stone. I would love to be back in Paris, but why not move to NYC? I also see myself having completed my physics degree, which I am currently pursuing remotely while working and which I started while at ESCP.
What advice would you offer to prospective students considering a similar path of study and specialization in finance?
Pick the path that fits you. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. If you do end up following one similar to mine, you are in for a treat. Talk to your teachers and classmates, everyone has a story to share, and if you are scared it might be too math-heavy for you, do it scared! It truly is manageable. Also remember that you can choose other specializations and still end up in finance. Be curious, you can change your mind. You will be at ESCP for a few years!
- Vues7