Path to HK S&T - Msf at top China/HK program
Will be heading into a top Msf program at one of the HK/China targets (ie. HKUST/HKU/Tsinghua/Fudan etc.). I want to work on a S&T desk in HK, preferably on the sales side but would do trading too if the opportunity was there.
I have internship experiences at small shops in IB, PE and ER, but nothing in S&T/Pub Markets. I don’t have any Mandarin skills at this point and I will finish my undergrad at a high semi target/low target school in the UK this year. I know VBA comfortably and am quickly learning Python to the point where I will be strong by the end of the summer.
What’s the best path here/odds i’m successful?
It will be difficult. I interned in HK at a BB in ER and interacted with the sales desk quite regularly. Because the clients are either CN, JP, or KR, you need to at least know one language proficiently. I want to say that I've not met one sales people in our team who is non-asian but there might have been one or two senior in HK/Singapore I've missed.
Trading for some assets in theory doesn't have the language barrier, but again all the traders I've met know at least one language proficiently. Also keep in mind that there are more sales seats compared to trading seats.
But if you're applying for SA hoping for the conversion i don't think you need to be concerned about the difference.
If I were you, i'd ask myself what is the end goal. Do you want to build a career in sales in HK? With HK markets being extremely china dominated, what gives you an edge over your peers when it comes to promotion or headcount reductions?
Just some random thoughts i typed out waiting for my flight, hope this helps.
Got it. I’ve seen quite a few Indian/West Asian guys who don’t speak Mandarin/JP/KR guys on trading floors on LinkedIn at the junior level so I was curious to see if there was a lack of language issue for certain teams.
As someone who’s interned at a HK BB, realistically what are my career
options out of this program? I essentially want to be in HK long term for a variety of existing family/personal reasons and am open to every avenue in finance, it just so happens that i’m interested in S&T that I thought had the lack of language requirement. Are there any teams in banks or other careers you’ve seen in HK that would a) value a Msf from one of the schools I mentioned as a foreigner and b) would be open to non-asian language skills?
Knowing Mandarin or another Asian language is not a must have in S&T in HK. It is definitely nice to have and you will be competing against many who do have it. That said, I find S&T hiring to be a bit more subjective. I would try to get into HKUST's MFE program. That will give you the best chance.
Cast your net wider as well if staying in HK is top priority. For example there are client service roles that can transition to sales.
Just sent a PM
Wo Hui shuo yi dian zhongwen
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