EASYUNI Ultimate University Guide 2013 Issue 4 | Page 23

CO U R S E S & C A REERS
But what exactly does an investment
banker do?
To begin with, an investment banker
helps individuals and corporations
interested in investing their money
in bonds, stocks, hedge and mutual
funds, provides professional advisory
services for company mergers and
acquisitions, and assists public and
private companies in raising funds or
money in the debt and equity capital
markets. For instance, the financing
of large-scale projects, such as the
construction of factories or highways,
requires a huge amount of money up
front. An application to receive a huge
loan from commercial banks is often
turned down due to the huge risk
that comes with it. This is where the
investment banker comes in to help
fulfil the projects by selling securities to
a network of investors seeking a good
return on investment (ROI).

IF YOU ARE GAME…
degree in any field that hones your
First, you need a qualification such as a
omics, statistics, mathematics or
skills in numbers, such as finance, econ
engineering. From there, you can take:
) route

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA

position in investment banking,
If you want to start out at an entry-level
ramme is the best way to go.
a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) prog
nised and highly sought-after
This particular programme is a well-recog
t banking industry. However, you must
qualification in the global investmen
alent before you can pursue a CFA.
first obtain a Bachelor’s degree or equiv
hasise on academics; the certification
The CFA programme does not just emp
ned the required work experience
will only be awarded after you have attai
typically takes four years to complete.
and mentorship. The programme
s throughout the CFA
You also need to pass three levels of exam
on consists of 240 multiple-choice
programme. The first level of examinati
ledge relating to investment valuation.
questions that will test you on know
valuation, where you are required
The second level will be focused on asset
ing session and another 10 in the
to complete 20 item sets (10 in the morn
ain a case statement (also known
afternoon session) and each item sets cont
tions. Finally, the third level of
as vignette) and six multiple-choice ques
questions which will take place
examination consists of item set and essay
in the morning and afternoon sessions.
rience to sit through, rest assured
While it may sound like a daunting expe
the CFA charter will have huge
that candidates who successfully acquire
salary boost working as a
career advantages as well as a significant
nancial advisor or investment
fi
corporate financial analyst, consultant,
national sectors. CFA graduates
banking analyst in relevant local or inter
alumni and fellow CFA holders that
are also assured of a strong network of
ties and career advantages.
would ensure great networking opportuni

Life as an investment
banker
While it’s true that investment banking
can be lucrative in a long run, it is no
walk in the park if you are a kind of
person who strongly believes in “worklife balance”. You have to adapt to the
unusually long hours and the stress of
dealing with clients, and might have to
sacrifice both personal and leisure time
to do that.
You have to be very flexible in
organising and improvising because
banking is a fast-paced environment
that requires you to act and think
quickly. You will be dealing with lots of
numbers and spend days brainstorming
and revising PowerPoint slides – which
is typically called a “pitch book” – to
present to your existing and potential
clients. Being an investment banker
also means lots of administrative
work as well: checking and sending
out emails, scheduling meetings and
conference calls and updating lists of
relevant information.

n (MBA) route

The Master of Business Administratio

an investment banker is by
Another way you could work towards being
(MBA) degree, a graduate degree
getting a Master of Business Administration
ides practical and theoretical
attained at a college or university that prov
general business management
education to help graduates understand
marketing) better. Typically, an MBA
functions (such as finance, accounting or
lete in a full-time course and
degree programme takes two years to comp
time to attend classes and complete
unlike the CFA, it costs more money and
uraging if you choose to study
study modules (which is especially not enco
and work at the same time).

easyuni Guide 2014

Issue 4

21