GUEST SPEAKER NEEDED - SCHOOL FINANCE SOCIETY

I'm a student in Year 12 in the UK and I run the finance society at my grammar school and also help lead a wider student initiative focused on expanding access to finance education and industry exposure for state school students across the country. Sessions collectively reach 100+ students.

There’s a lot of genuine interest from members, many without existing family connections to the industry so opportunities like this can make a real difference.

We’re looking for finance professionals from any area of finance including IB, PE, HF, AM, quant, fintech or anywhere else who would be open to doing a virtual talk or Q&A session over Zoom or Google Meet. Any insight is really valuable as most students are still exploring different paths and would benefit from exposure to a range of industries.

Topics students would especially love insight on:

  • Your career path and major turning points
  • What your day-to-day work actually looks like
  • What actually matters early in your career and how people stand out
  • How AI is changing workflows and decision-making in finance
  • Recommended books, projects, technical skills or learning resources
  • Things that surprised you when entering the industry

The format is completely flexible. This could be a Q&A, discussion or presentation depending on your preference and I’d be happy to share questions in advance.

We previously hosted a speaker from this forum and were told it was a very rewarding experience.

If you’d potentially be interested, I’d really appreciate a message or reply just here. Any insight students can gain exposure to would be hugely valuable -- this means any level of seniority.

(+ bumps are appreciated too!)

13 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, your initiative sounds fantastic and impactful! Engaging finance professionals for virtual talks is a great way to inspire and educate students, especially those without existing industry connections. To increase your chances of finding a guest speaker, consider the following tips:

  1. Leverage WSO Forums: Post your request in relevant threads or forums on Wall Street Oasis, such as the Investment Banking or Private Equity sections. Many professionals actively participate and might be willing to help.

  2. Highlight the Impact: Emphasize the reach of your sessions (100+ students) and the importance of expanding access to finance education for state school students. This can resonate with professionals who value mentorship and diversity.

  3. Be Flexible: As you mentioned, offering a flexible format (Q&A, presentation, or discussion) makes it easier for professionals to commit.

  4. Provide Context: Share specific topics of interest, like career paths, day-to-day work, and the impact of AI in finance. This helps potential speakers tailor their insights.

  5. Follow Up: If you've previously hosted a speaker from WSO, mention their positive feedback to encourage others to participate.

  6. Network Beyond Forums: Reach out to alumni networks, LinkedIn connections, or local finance professionals who might be interested in giving back.

For additional exposure, you can also share your initiative on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter, tagging relevant finance communities or professionals. Good luck with your search!

Sources: Recent Grad- In need of Advice BBA in Finance, International Students breaking into banking - ask and I'll try to help, Want to talk to High School teacher but don't know how to reach out, Talking points to university kids who are networking with you?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

I’m at UBS and I volunteer. But after 2 years of 0 deals I’m probably not a good candidate

 

We would be very grateful for this opportunity. The students would benefit hugely from hearing about your experience and career journey regardless of deal count! Please feel free to message me.

 

Thanks ever so much for your generosity but I can't message you as you seem to be on anonymous mode. If you could give me your username I'd be very grateful.

 

Ex earum et pariatur consequatur reprehenderit. Sequi omnis animi dolorem sit totam laboriosam unde. Reiciendis et labore consectetur quae repellendus voluptatem voluptatibus tenetur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan No 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”