What does your job involve?

As an analyst in Jarden’s Investment Banking division, my work is diverse and fast-paced. My day-to-day differs depending on the projects we’re working on, the needs of our clients and the opportunities in the market. At a high level, the role is centred around deal execution, marketing and valuation work. Some days, I will work on Board presentations; other days, I may be attending meetings with clients or working on models that help them value particular opportunities. These tasks demand a variety of research, technical and critical thinking skills, so the work is always interesting!

What’s your background?

After graduating high school in 2016, I studied a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) at the University of Sydney.

I didn’t always know that I would start my career in investment banking – I was pretty late to the game. I worked for almost two years in criminal defence and spent much of my first three years at university working as a student ambassador, getting involved in law school, enjoying student life and studying in Europe for a semester.

I always loved maths, and I wanted a career where I could think creatively to strategise and pitch ideas. I was also drawn to the people-based nature of the work where good client relationships are built on trust and honest advice. In my fourth year of uni, I undertook two internships in investment banking which confirmed that the career would be a good fit for me.

In considering where I would start as a graduate, I chose Jarden for its people. Seniors take a uniquely hands-on approach to support juniors’ personal and professional development – this is something I really appreciated.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes. This was something that drew me to the job since I had met a variety of interesting people working in the industry who had come from all different backgrounds – from maths to medical science, engineering and arts. While a base level of business acumen and an understanding of finance is very helpful, if you haven’t learnt these through a tertiary degree, it’s certainly possible to get up the learning curve with the right attitude, an eagerness to learn and an interest in the industry.

What’s the coolest thing about your job?

The opportunity to work closely with senior executives across a broad range of companies is a fantastic opportunity as a junior and a unique element of this job.

What are the limitations of your job?

The learning curve is steep as an analyst and this can be challenging in such a fast-paced environment. However, in the face of these challenges, the personal growth you experience from learning in an environment like this is unparalleled.

Tell us 3 pieces of advice for your university-self…

1. Embrace new opportunities. Take every opportunity to broaden your experiences, whether they be extra-curricular, personal or professional. University life generally provides you with a lot more flexibility than full-time work, so explore your interests, try new things and make the most of your time as a student.
2. Be curious and open-minded. Most students don’t know what they want to do when they graduate and that’s completely fine! University is the time to learn about what truly interests and motivates you – there’s no need to pigeonhole yourself into one path too early on.
3. Make your own decisions. Be thoughtful about the choices you make and don’t feel obliged to follow the crowd. University offers a wealth of opportunities, so don’t be too quick to dismiss an opportunity simply because it’s alternative to the mainstream.