The packed streets, fast-moving suits and ties, and piercing cold wind were all that we expected as we landed in Canada’s financial centre. This past November, thirteen Beedie Endowment Asset Management students travelled to Toronto to meet and network with top financial institutions. We were privileged enough to meet some of Canada’s brightest financiers who shared their insights and experiences, allowing us to gain valuable information about money management, student recruitment, and other areas of capital markets.
In preparation, we did research and prepared questions for the firms visited. Once we arrived in the board rooms and greeted the professionals, we took our seats and began listening to the companies’ presentations. We got a chance to really understand the different careers in capital markets, such as investment banking, equity research, sales and trading, and money management. Touring the trading floors of a few Canadian big banks allowed us to see their working environment which included hundreds of monitors and computers, market news on televisions, and professionals working after-market hours. The one-on-one networking sessions allowed us to build relationships with individuals with varying careers. We over-looked Toronto’s skyscrapers from some of the highest floors in the city. Lastly, and of upmost importance, we took the opportunity to pick the brains of professionals with decades of experience and knowledge.
As a group reflected back on the trip to Toronto, there was a mutual consensus on how beneficial the connections made, and the knowledge obtained would be for BEAM, and SFU. Not only that, but it also allowed us to be recognized by some of the most prestigious firms in Toronto as a formidable business school. I believe I speak for all the students when I say that I cannot stress how impactful and invaluable this experience has been. I give this trip much credit to helping me in secure an 8-month investment banking co-op at Desjardins in Toronto.
Applications are now open. Click here (https://beedie.sfu.ca/beam/join/) to apply now!
Leslie is a third year finance student and analyst at Beedie Endowment Asset Management (BEAM). He is heading to Toronto for an 8-month investment banking internship at Desjardins.
You can contact Leslie at lctsang@sfu.ca.