What was your summer analyst experience like at the firm?
I decided to do an internship because I thought it was a good option for someone who wanted a role in banking straight out of undergrad. I did not know what to expect, but I had heard that it was intense and challenging, and I wanted to see what it was all about. I knew I had made the right decision not long after I started. The people I worked with were appreciative, smart and collaborative.
Can you talk about some of your specific assignments as a summer analyst?
My first day on the job, I was put on a high-profile IPO project and was asked to edit a prospectus. This was pretty exciting for a summer analyst. Of course, there was a lot of work to do, but I enjoyed the challenge. I was trusted to provide input. Even though I was just a summer analyst, people listened to what I had to say.
Why did you decide to continue your career with the company?
It’s quite simple for me—Morgan Stanley is a well-established international platform. I get high quality deal and client exposure that I otherwise would not have gotten right out of school.
What is your day-to-day life like?
It varies, but in general it is very jam packed: getting on calls, responding to e-mails, preparing models and presentations. My team primarily helps clients execute M&A transactions—and a lot of things need to be done (by Morgan Stanley and many times by our client) before a transaction gets “executed”. This can range from the more “interesting” quantitative and qualitative analysis, to the more simple (or difficult—depending on how you look at it) task of getting your analysis printed and delivered overnight for an early morning meeting in a different city on short notice.
Can you talk about the culture at Morgan Stanley?
To me, the focus on teamwork is one of Morgan Stanley culture’s defining traits. People here are smart, and are focused on getting the job done well. I trust that my teammates will work hard to deliver. I also trust that they give credit where credit is due. My teammates often inspire me personally to aim for a higher standard—not just in terms of work products, but also in terms of work ethic and how I should conduct myself in general.
Have you been mentored at all while at the firm?
Yes. Mentoring has been an informal, organic process for me. There are a couple of people I turn to when I'm looking for advice. The conversations often happen over a cup of coffee. They don't necessarily tell me what I should do—they offer their takes on the issues at hand, drawing on their backgrounds and experiences, and give guidance on how I should approach them. People care, and they are accessible.
Have you given back to any organizations?
I worked with Little Life Warrior Society, which is an organization that helps families of children with cancer to better cope with their tough circumstances. Through surveys, desktop due diligence of financials, as well as conversations with the management, my team and I helped assess the impact of their various programs to ensure donations are effectively allocated. It’s great that Morgan Stanley encourages this and we had colleagues from all levels of seniority participate in this project.
Do you feel like Morgan Stanley is helping you progress in your career?
Yes. Managers check in periodically to see if I am happy with where I am, and provide me with the necessary feedback. Generally speaking, there is a clear path of what I need to do to get to where I want to be. In terms of learning experience, Morgan Stanley has been great: my deal exposure has been diverse and each deal challenging in its own way. Knowing how to perform the various quantitative analyses often isn't enough. Executing a deal is a very results driven exercise where one has to be well-rounded, resourceful, and communicative—a “jack of all trades” sometimes.