Suits and ties. Shuffling of feet. Packed streets.
We have arrived in Canada’s financial center.
During the last week of October in 2015, 7 Beedie Endowment Asset Management (BEAM), along with 4 graduate students from the Student Investment Advisory Service (SIAS) Fund students traveled to Toronto to network at the headquarters of the top financial institutions in Canada.
This trip comprised of visits to the head offices of leading banks and investment funds: CIBC, RBC, BMO, Scotiabank, Beutel Goodman, NexGen, Spruce Grove Investment Management, Sun Life Financial, and Fidelity Investment. We gained valuable insight from the information and networking sessions about the capital markets. The financiers shared their experiences and advice. We were able to understand first-hand the different careers, such as investment banking, equity research, sales and trading, and money management. With each visit, we also received guided tours of the offices and we were exposed to some of the largest trading floors in North America.
A key takeaway from this trip was experiencing the fast-paced work environment in Toronto. I found the trade floor exciting. Stepping onto the trade floor for the first time, I received the impact of seeing hundreds of monitors and computers, large television screens reporting market news, and professionals constantly on the phone. This opportunity gave us the chance to see the financial hub in-person.
Getting the in-person and hands-on experience is what BEAM is about.
The Beedie Endowment Asset Management (BEAM) fund is the largest undergraduate-run investment fund in Canada, with $5.8 million invested in Canadian equities, fixed income and cash. Students participating in BEAM are responsible for managing the fund, and receive hands-on experience in investment research, analysis, and trading in bonds and equities markets.
BEAM is an opportunity for Finance students to get experience in the world of finance. The learning is rich as we gain technical knowledge, real-world skills, and new connections. Since joining BEAM, I’ve had a steep learning curve, and I am constantly learning about the capital markets with my peers in BEAM. To Beedie students interested in investment banking, my advise to you is be bold, get involved and hustle.
Samantha is a third year Finance student at the Beedie School of Business. She has completed a co-op at Fidelity Investments, is involved with the Finance Club as a Vice President, and is currently an analyst in the Beedie Endowment Asset Management (BEAM). Samantha recently completed an academic exchange to Copenhagen, Denmark, which included traveling to 15 other countries during her 6 months abroad.