Trainee Analyst, European Equities

James Kariuki

Finance

Placement (10 Months+)

Describe your role and what it entails

My activities can be broken down into calls with sell-side analysts to dig into a stock idea, calls with company management to discuss strategy, and building of financial models to test scenarios and form valuations.

What have been your highlights?

My highlight was my first stock pitch. I presented the merger of Metso Minerals and Outetec to the fund managers, and it was added into their portfolio.

What have been your challenges?

The learning curve has been immense, and made all the more difficult by being forced to work from home as a result of the COVID crisis.

What have you learnt from your experience in the role?

I think the most important part is that I’m not expected to know everything, and that I am meant to learn something every day. Being patient with yourself and asking those around for help is important.

What advice would you give to a student following in your footsteps?

Start your applications early, and maintain connections everywhere you go.

Share this article