Insights from EDHEC MiM - Business Management Track Internships in the Finance Sector
Xie Xinyu joined EDHEC's Master in Management—Business Management Track in 2022. By 2023, she had interned at two banks in Luxembourg. Here, she shares her professional experiences and insights.
Could you briefly describe your internship experiences?
After joining EDHEC, I had two internship experiences:
1. In July 2023, I joined the Luxembourg branch of Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH), one of America's oldest and largest private banks, as a Depositary Bank Service Intern.
2. Since January 2024, I have been working at the Luxembourg branch of Nomura Bank, a subsidiary of Japan's largest investment bank and securities company, Nomura Group, as an Asset Management Investment Funds Trainee.
How did you find these job opportunities, and how did EDHEC help in your job search?
1. I found my first internship by browsing relevant positions on LinkedIn and then applying through the company’s official website. After two rounds of interviews—one with the department manager and the final one with the department VP—I successfully landed the position. It took me four months, from January to May, to secure this internship.
2. I found my second internship similarly on LinkedIn. Due to my keen interest in asset management, I applied via the company’s website. This time, there was only one interview, conducted with the HR manager, the department manager, and the VP, lasting an hour.
EDHEC’s Career Centre has a comprehensive system. We can book one-on-one consultations where advisors help clarify our career goals and offer personalised advice, including resume and cover letter revisions, and conduct mock interviews to help us perform our best.
Once I received the internship offer, signing the internship agreement with EDHEC was straightforward. Detailed tutorials on the official website allowed me to complete the process within a day. Throughout the internship, the Career Centre provided continuous support and followed up on my progress.
Did the EDHEC programme help you succeed in different roles?
Absolutely. Specifically:
Financial Knowledge and Theory
- Core Courses: Although my programme is a Master in Management, the first-year curriculum included courses like financial statement analysis, corporate finance, and cost accounting. These courses laid a solid foundation in finance, enabling me to understand and analyse complex financial issues.
- Case Studies: Through real-life case studies, I learned to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, enhancing my problem-solving skills.
Technical and Soft Skills
- Data Analysis: First-year courses also included training in tools like Excel and VBA, equipping me with skills in data analysis and modelling. This capability is crucial for handling large datasets and conducting financial analysis.
- Communication and Presentation Skills: The Master in Management programme involved numerous group projects and presentations, fostering my teamwork and communication skills, which are essential in both interviews and the workplace.
Overall, EDHEC’s Master in Management programme provided me with a robust academic foundation, enhanced my professional technical skills, and improved my management and communication abilities, enabling me to excel in various internship roles.
Do you have any advice for Chinese students seeking internships?
Finding an internship can be challenging, especially in the European market. However, I urge everyone not to give up easily. Once you’ve set your goals, avoid blindly applying for positions or letting anxiety overwhelm you. Remember the saying: “Opportunity favours the prepared mind.” I sincerely hope everyone can secure their desired internships.
