Aakanch Karjeet

About you

What work experience/internships did you have before beginning with Imperial College Business School?

Prior to joining Imperial, I completed an internship in a private equity firm as an Investment Analyst, which provided a great insight into the investment industry. Before that, I completed a placement year in Lloyds Banking Group as a Risk Analyst.

Why did you decide to study an MSc Investment & Wealth Management at Imperial College Business School?

I wanted to get a deeper understanding of the asset management/hedge fund industry and the strategies they employ. Given Imperial has a strong reputation in quantitative fields, it was the perfect choice.

Programme

What aspects of the programme do you most enjoy the most?

I really enjoyed having the opportunity to develop my quantitative and programming skills, which are crucial in the industry today. I also enjoyed the relevance of the topics and the enthusiasm with which the lecturers teach.

Which has been your favourite module so far and why?

The Derivatives module has been my favourite as it introduced me to several advanced option pricing techniques used in the industry today. It has also significantly improved my understanding of the derivative market and its practical applications.

What has been the most rewarding part of the programme?

The year has been very challenging but being able to see what I have accomplished and learned over the last year is certainly very rewarding. Similarly, being around other talented and driven students, along with the friendships I have formed with them has been some of the most rewarding parts of the programme.

What has been the most challenging part of the programme? 

Being able to manage time effectively has been the most challenging part of the programme. This was particularly hard during the autumn term given the large volume of coursework, job applications and extra-curricular activities.

People

How would you describe your cohort at Imperial?

The cohort is very diverse and driven. In saying this, everyone is still happy to help when you reach out even though they share the same busy schedules.

Opportunities

What has been the greatest opportunity you have had at Imperial?

One of the greatest opportunities I have had at Imperial is the reputation of the Business School. The fact that I can say I have completed a programme at one of the most highly regarded business school’s in London is a real edge for me in the job-hunting process.

Which workshops, events or guest lectures at the school have been useful in developing your skills and knowledge?

I feel all workshops have been very useful, but the Amplify Trading workshop has been the most useful to me. This gave me an opportunity to participate in trading competitions and get an insight into the role of a market maker.

What clubs, societies or other activities have you been involved in at Imperial?

I was part of the Student Investment Fund as an Equity Analyst, where I have been involved in analysis for companies and pitching investment ideas. I am also a Student Ambassador for my programme, where I have been working alongside other Ambassadors and the Recruitment team to help prospective students with any questions they may have about studying at the Business School. I have also been organising football matches for students within my programme, so they can compete in an Imperial football tournament.

How have you benefited from being part of the wider Imperial College London community?

I have benefited from being part of the wider Imperial College London community by being able to meet and network with other talented and like-minded students from the wider Imperial community.

Career

What are your future career goals and how have they been realised since being at Imperial?

My future career goal is to succeed within the asset management industry or as a sell-side trader in the credit market and eventually move towards opening my own fund. This has been realised by speaking with several industry experts during networking events.

Have you received any job offers since commencing your programme?

Yes, I will be working as an Analyst in the Securitised Products division within MUFG. During this role I will work in different sectors - originating, structuring and trading – on a rotating basis.

How did the services from Careers help in your professional development/securing employment?

The Careers service has been very supportive throughout the year. I started using the Careers service even before starting at Imperial to improve my CV and cover letters. They have been great at connecting students to prospective employers throughout the year through several career fairs.

London Location

Do you think studying in a central location such as London is beneficial for networking and career opportunities?

Yes, it is very beneficial. Being in central London has allowed me to stay in touch and meet-up with my previous managers. It has also made it easier for me to meet and network with potential employers.

When you’re not studying, what do you enjoy doing?

In my spare time, I enjoy playing football and have been playing in several tournaments. Outside of football, I really enjoy meeting up with my friends from my current cohort and from my past degree.

What have been the benefits and challenges of moving to London?

The benefits of moving to London is that the whole world is here, so you get to enjoy various cultures and it is very easy to network.

Tips

Looking back to when you were applying for the programme, did you attend any online webinars or on-campus information sessions?

I attended an on-campus information session before applying, which really helped me get an understanding of the programme and the recruitment process. It was also a great to speak to current students and learn about their experiences at Imperial.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about applying for the programme?

The MSc Investment Wealth & Management programme requires a lot of programming, so I highly recommend spending time on modules such as Introduction to R, if you are new to programming. Imperial has a lot of societies and extra-curricular activities that you can get involved in, but I would suggest you to be selective when choosing a hobby for your spare time and not to take on board too much, as the programme itself is very demanding. Throughout the programme, managing your time efficiently is the key to performing well and getting the most of it.