Incoming LSE A&F (HK Local), is there anything I can do to best prepare and position myself for the HK High Finance market?
I’m a Hong Kong local who will be starting my BSc in Accounting & Finance at LSE this upcoming academic year. My ultimate goal is to return to Hong Kong after graduation to work in high finance, but still haven't decided on the specific sector yet. I want to make sure I am doing everything possible to be competitive.
I would love to get some advice from anyone familiar with:
Internships: Should I focus on applications strictly on London offices and try to transfer to HK later, or try come back to HK and look for some?
Technical Prep: Besides getting involved in LSE student investment funds and maintaining high grades, is there any specific technical prep I should do in my first year?
Preparation: Is there anything specific I should read or learn about before headed for LSE in September?
I know I may be over stressing a bit, but any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
To position yourself effectively for the Hong Kong high finance market as an incoming LSE Accounting & Finance student, here’s what you should focus on:
Internships
London vs. Hong Kong:
Networking:
Sector Exploration:
Technical Preparation
Student Investment Funds:
Financial Modeling:
Language Skills:
Excel Mastery:
Preparation Before LSE
Reading Recommendations:
Cultural and Market Knowledge:
Soft Skills:
Additional Tips
Plan for Master’s Degree:
Adaptability:
Have a Plan B:
By focusing on these areas, you’ll be well-prepared to excel at LSE and position yourself for a successful career in Hong Kong high finance.
Sources: Q&A: 2nd Year Equities L/S HF Analyst in Hong Kong, The future of Hong Kong high finance, Q&A: 2nd Year Equities L/S HF Analyst in Hong Kong
Internships - At least one in HK at reputable shop preferred as it's the best proxy you can do the HK job.
Preparation - Would recommend digging up profiles (LinkedIn, alumni, HK SA / Grad cohort yearbooks if you have access) of the UK university students hired into HK Summer Analyst / Grad roles at the firms you're aiming for, to get a sense of their grades / clubs / internships (when did they do it in their university year, and where) and ideally aim higher.
Network - More broadly (not high finance specific), I found it helpful to have a good think about what types of people (character, intelligence, values, personal & life goals etc.) you'd want to surround yourself with, and find ways to put yourself in that type of environment. Whether that be through investment clubs, interesting courses, extracurriculars, or plain old reaching out to people. Being in the right circles, seeing what others are doing, seeking mentorship from people who are right for you, does help you learn and grow much faster than you'd otherwise be capable of alone. High finance is in some ways an extension of this.
Great to see you thinking about this early - much better to start now, rather than make up for lost time later.
Thank you so much for the useful pointers. For internships specifically, do you think there is a specific number of internships I should aim for?
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