Acquiring geographical and functional mobility
I work for Fitch ratings as a Credit Analyst, which means that I rate the ability of companies to meet debt obligations (mostly bond payments). I fall into one of those categories of lucky MBA graduates who managed to change both location and industry. I was previously in Toronto working as a lobbyist for energy companies, and, before that, I was a lawyer. I actually rate energy companies, so I was able to use that industry background to move into a finance role. Coming into the MBA, I wasn't sure about staying in energy, nor was I focused necessarily on a City job. But I wanted to work in London or Paris at a better paid, more international, higher-level job, so I feel very lucky that I was able to make the MBA investment work.
I work for Fitch ratings as a Credit Analyst, which means that I rate the ability of companies to meet debt obligations (mostly bond payments). I fall into one of those categories of lucky MBA graduates who managed to change both location and industry. I was previously in Toronto working as a lobbyist for energy companies, and, before that, I was a lawyer. I actually rate energy companies, so I was able to use that industry background to move into a finance role. Coming into the MBA, I wasn't sure about staying in energy, nor was I focused necessarily on a City job. But I wanted to work in London or Paris at a better paid, more international, higher-level job, so I feel very lucky that I was able to make the MBA investment work.
Adapting to a cosmopolitan work culture
First of all, I'm a bit of a Francophile. I love Europe, and I was ready to make a change from living in Canada to living and working here. I knew that studying at HEC would allow me to improve my French skills, which was an added bonus in case I returned to Canada, particularly Montreal. I find now that I'm actually in a position where those language skills are really useful because London is very cosmopolitan and Fitch rates French companies, so I'm able to volunteer for that type of work. So it's really worked out for me, and I feel very pleased. I really wanted to be either in London or Paris, doing this kind of work, so I feel really fortunate.
First of all, I'm a bit of a Francophile. I love Europe, and I was ready to make a change from living in Canada to living and working here. I knew that studying at HEC would allow me to improve my French skills, which was an added bonus in case I returned to Canada, particularly Montreal. I find now that I'm actually in a position where those language skills are really useful because London is very cosmopolitan and Fitch rates French companies, so I'm able to volunteer for that type of work. So it's really worked out for me, and I feel very pleased. I really wanted to be either in London or Paris, doing this kind of work, so I feel really fortunate.
Taking advantage of the HEC worldwide network
There are thousands of French people in London working in finance, and there are lots of Grande Ecole alumni here as well. Just to give you an idea, in my company, on my floor even, there are people both more junior and more senior to me who are from HEC. It's a school that is very well known and respected, which helped me in the interview process and now helps me connect to my colleagues and clients.
There are thousands of French people in London working in finance, and there are lots of Grande Ecole alumni here as well. Just to give you an idea, in my company, on my floor even, there are people both more junior and more senior to me who are from HEC. It's a school that is very well known and respected, which helped me in the interview process and now helps me connect to my colleagues and clients.
Making strategic career decisions
After graduating, I took a job as an Energy Analyst for a market research firm called Datamonitor, which was kind of an interim step. It was actually for less money than I made before the MBA, but it was in London and it allowed me to learn all about energy in Europe and develop other key skills that would be useful in a finance role. It was a very good transition for me, and I would advise MBA graduates to be strategic: I didn't go back to Canada because I didn't find exactly what I wanted in Europe at first. Sometimes you need to focus on getting yourself into a city or building skills that will be useful for the next step.
After graduating, I took a job as an Energy Analyst for a market research firm called Datamonitor, which was kind of an interim step. It was actually for less money than I made before the MBA, but it was in London and it allowed me to learn all about energy in Europe and develop other key skills that would be useful in a finance role. It was a very good transition for me, and I would advise MBA graduates to be strategic: I didn't go back to Canada because I didn't find exactly what I wanted in Europe at first. Sometimes you need to focus on getting yourself into a city or building skills that will be useful for the next step.