By Eigen Escario
Ginny Ling
The Vanderbilt MS Finance program, in partnership with the Owen Career Management Center (CMC), unveiled the Investment Banking Academy (IBA) this past year. The goal of this initiative is to better facilitate the investment banking recruitment process for students coming into the program. Faculty advisor Ginny Ling, Associate Director and CMC Coach, and MS Finance student participants Akhil Behl and Joy Gao expand on the academy’s mission, framework, and goals.
Creating A Pipeline from Owen to Investment Banking
MS Finance students interested in investment banking have to get a head start on the recruitment process before they even step foot on campus, unlike students pursuing other industries such as investment management, where the recruitment timeline aligns with the school year.
“If you think about the MBA students, they’ll get on campus in August, giving them time to prepare for their fall internship recruitment,” Ling explains. “For MS Finance students interested in investment banking, the timeline for recruitment and interviews begins as early as July. Since there’s a limited runway for them, the Investment Banking Academy wants to start giving support and resources as early as February that year to prepare them for recruitment.”
When the program launched a year ago, Ling said the vision for the organization was a self-sustaining network that immerses prospective investment banking candidates in the reality of the industry while being supported in an encouraging environment.
“We have over 60 members now, so we’re envisioning a simulation for investment banking recruitment where fellows can walk members through the process with live feedback and other resources,” Ling said. “By having experiences that closely mirror the realities of recruitment, members are able to understand what it looks like and be better prepared for the high-stakes recruiting process.”
Members of the Investment Banking Academy underscore the demand and value of the program for those in the MS Finance program interested in pursuing investment banking and the world of finance after graduation.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm for the IBA from people who are currently in MS Finance from what I’ve noticed, as well as people who want to join next year,” Behl said. “The program gives us a path to investment banking, which is not usually spelled out in a step-by-step process, so I think IBA helps a lot of students. It’s been eventful and meaningful so far!”
Investment Banking Academy Structure & Value Proposition
The IBA operates as a selective program, with 2 tiers of involvement: general participation and fellowship. This peer-to-peer mentoring structure offers a valuable and enriching experience for both candidates going through recruitment and those with investment banking offers to give back to the Vanderbilt Business community.
“Candidates apply interview feedback from fellows to demonstrate their knowledge of the industry, desirable networking qualities, and technical preparedness. Once they meet these standards, they gain membership as a fellow,” Ling said. “For the program’s resources, we are looking at inviting guest speakers back and having peer workshops on metrics for success.”
The program builds upon its network of alumni who have gone through the IBA to create pipelines from the MS Finance program to prestigious offers after graduation.
“Alumni of the program transition into the role of mentors and volunteers after they step into the investment banking industry,” Ling said. “As they mature towards a mentor role, they give real-time feedback to members of the IBA in a safe environment so that they can improve and get ready for the early fall recruiting.”
Along with the development of soft skills aided by the alumni network, the program itself provides preparatory resources that make sure candidates meet and surpass the technical qualifications necessary to succeed in investment banking.
“I was able to connect with previous IBA members who offered honest advice on the recruiting process, which saved me a lot of time and helped me avoid common mistakes,” Gao said. “Their guidance, along with resources like Wall Street Prep and the 400 Guide, ensured I was technically prepared. Plus, having a supportive community of people all working toward the same goal kept me accountable and motivated throughout the recruiting process.”
The Long-Term Vision
Since the program started last year, the IBA is still working towards a sustainable network of alumni that would bolster the program’s value in the recruitment process. Behl, a member of the second cohort of the IBA, shares his perspective on the program’s long-term return on investment.
“I noticed that Vanderbilt lacked an undergraduate business program with a specific investment banking track, but the masters program was starting to develop one. After great conversations with alumni, a former IBA member asked if I wanted to help build it out,” Behl said. “I saw it as a chance to give back and create strong connections with a community of incredibly smart people, many of whom end up in investment banking or high finance—a network that would be invaluable even years after graduation.”
As the IBA grows, the CMC and its organizational committee aim to expand beyond investment banking and into other relevant fields like equity research and private equity. Their flexible structure allows them to evolve based on the needs of the students and the industry.
“With our growing membership and alumni network, we are looking into providing resources and support for investment banking plus any relevant industries, like private equity, equity research, and other high finance fields,” Ling said. “For the second phase of our expansion, we plan on helping students from investment banking recruiting to private equity recruiting and other exit opportunities after banking.”
With its early start, selective membership, and strong alumni involvement, the IBA offers tailored support to help students navigate the complexities of investment banking recruitment. As the program grows, it is poised to become an essential part of the MS Finance experience at Vanderbilt, providing students with the tools they need to thrive in one of the most competitive fields in finance.
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