M.Sc in Finance at Top UK School to Move Into Energy Transition Finance
Hi,
1st-year monkey here working in strategy consulting at a Big 4 (think EY-P or Strategy&) group.
I'm interested in the energy transition (with previous experience in sustainability/energy consulting, as well as academic research, with a couple of published papers in the space), and have recently been reading more about infrastructure investing and investment banking. I think that the finance function has a fundamentally more important role to play in facilitating energy transition than strategy, and believe that this will be a super important area moving forward. In particular, I'm interested in the financing that goes into greenfield projects, and scaling up emerging technologies (think renewable fuels, energy storage, or carbon capture).
I'm thinking about trying to move into IB with the end goal of working in Infra/Energy Transition PE. I'm wondering if people here think that pursuing an Masters in Finance from a top UK school (I have a 3.7/4.0 GPA in engineering, and 720 GMAT) would be a good way to do so. It's worthwhile mentioning that I'm eligible for a 5-year UK VISA, as my grandfather was born there.
I should also note that I don't have previous finance internship experience. It would be possible to get some additional exposure to finance projects at my work (potential staffing on M&A projects, infrastructure/capital projects advisory) in advance of the move though.
I've seen a variety of opinions on this page on the value of the Masters in Finance type degrees and how they set you up for success in recruiting. I guess I'm just curious to know if people think this could be a fruitful path and in particular if I'd be able to get interviews at BB/EB's with my profile.
Thanks!
Based on previous WSO threads and the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and advice for your situation:
Value of a Master's in Finance:
Relevance of Your Background:
Finance Internship Experience:
Eligibility for UK VISA:
Recruiting for BB/EBs:
Long-term Goals:
In summary, pursuing a Master's in Finance from a top UK school appears to be a fruitful path for achieving your career goals in energy transition finance. Ensure you gain as much finance-related experience as possible in your current role and actively network to maximize your chances of success in recruiting for BB/EBs.
Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/consulting/qa-eb-co-invest-pe-m7-mba-mbb?customgpt=1, Non-target average student declined BB trading ops offer, now having some second thoughts, 22 Year Old Failure Seeks Advice re: Breaking into Finance, Journey from CC to EB, My Path - MBA Banking Associate to PE
Mfins consistently place into IB/AM, that is about all you are guaranteed. There is no pipelines at this level for what you are looking for in energy finance, and would entirely be based on your own luck. Keep in mind MFins recruit at the same level as the undergrads, so you are back fighting with everyone for the IB pool, which is not a sure shot given the volume, chances on online assesments etc.
In my mind you are better off continuing in consulting, getting some relevant project exposure and lateralling over directly to energy finance where you want to be, or mba. I've seen a few profiles do this at LBS MBA in the spaces you are interested in (uk specific), and I am sure elsewhere.
Why would I go MBA if there are nearly no spots at that level in London? I'm keen to have an international career and don't mind coming in at the analyst level.
mba if you're gonna stay in consulting, then making some kinda move to investing/tech etc. Of course its role specific and gonna be different than if you came thru via IB, which you are right no mba spots. I think you could do a pure play mfin, LBS, LSE, Ox, Imperial, and leverage your bit of consulting experience for energy rather than doing an energy msc and pigeonholing yourself into that path if things don't work out/there isn't very many spots.
Keep in mind people go into these programs to get into the job you are in right now...
Thanks for the advice. I'm thinking that I'm going to continue on with my job, get staffed on some transaction services / M&A advisory work and see if I like it. If I do, I'll try to leverage that to lateral directly into banking, or consider going back to school after 2 YoE. My experience in consulting is in the energy/resources space. I agree with you it isn't a great idea to leave a job without certainty
Depends on if you think you can cope technically, but in general, I’d suggest doing an energy related MSc instead (Oxford / Cambridge / Imperial / UCL). UK business schools are not great compared to their parents (LBS excepted, of course, while LSE doesn’t have much energy placement). And the energy industry has a low tolerance for pure finance folk.
If you want something halfway, check out Imperial’s MSc Energy and Metals Finance (for making money / commodity trading), or Climate Change, Management and Finance (more of a Patagonia vibe).
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