Postgraduate profile: MSc in European business

Aurelia Faure worked in engineering for six years before deciding to do a postgraduate business degree so that she could move into the capital markets industry and maintain her plan to work abroad.

I chose the masters in European business (MEB) at ESCP-EAP because it provides a generalist management background and practical experience via its consultancy projects, similar to an MBA. It also allowed me to continue studying and working abroad.

Building the foundations in finance

The MEB provided me with a solid theoretical background in finance, which is a very useful basis on which to start working in banking. The other subjects were also very interesting and enabled me to broaden my business culture. A significant challenge was working in international teams with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Through doing my team project on the banking industry, and via alumni networking events, I built up a clear idea of the career options in banking. There is no substitute for speaking to someone who does the job already!

From intern to investment banking

I started as an intern in London with BNP Paribas after completing the MEB and joined JPMorgan at the end of my internship. I then joined CSFB working in equity research, covering European wholesale banks. My job is a unique mix of managing relationships, creativity and analysis. It involves modelling, forecasting company results, writing research notes, communicating investment ideas and establishing and managing relationships with the management of companies and with clients. I've learned a lot from the members of my team and enjoy working with them. It wasn't perhaps the most direct route into a finance career but I've found the perfect job for me, working in one of the best research teams.

Aurelia Faure studied an MSc electrical engineering at ESCP-EAP before her masters in European business at the Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble (France).