Investment Banker

Name: Stefan Grossmann
Age: 35
Degree: Master of Arts UZH in Wirtschaftswissenschaften (Business Administration)
Profession: Director Investment Banking & Capital Markets Switzerland
Employer: Credit Suisse

Describe your job in one sentence.

I am an advisor for mergers and acquisitions as well as equity and debt capital market transactions for large corporate clients, which are usually listed on the stock exchange.

What are the three main tasks in your job?

1) Project management and execution, e.g. for company takeovers, IPOs or similar transactions
2) Preparations and meetings with clients on general topics, strategic analyses and new projects
3) Acquisition of new projects and clients.

What do you think is the best / most exciting thing about this job?

My job is very varied and offers new challenges every day. You have the opportunity to provide intensive support to the country's largest companies and their decision-makers from the Board of Directors and management on strategically very relevant projects, e.g. mergers, and to experience the associated internal decision-making processes at first hand. This brings you very close to the financial markets and current events in the corporate world. The profession also offers a balanced mix of technical requirements, e.g. modelling financial models, and "soft skills", e.g. presenting and communicating results and findings.

What is the biggest challenge in this job?

The versatility of the job makes it very exciting, but also requires a certain amount of flexibility, e.g. in

What does it take to enter this profession or to be successful in it?

The drive, motivation and willingness to perform in a competitive and highly dynamic environment are very important. A degree from a reputable university (e.g. UZH) including specialised knowledge in the field of corporate finance, good communication skills and a quick grasp of things help. Professional experience (e.g. internships) in the same or related areas is a great advantage in order to make a gradual start.

What career advancement/further development opportunities are there?

Investment banking basically offers a predefined career path. As a rule, you start with an internship in this area and, if successful, are employed as an analyst. If you perform well, you have the opportunity to be promoted to Associate, then Vice President, Director and finally Managing Director at Credit Suisse. Thanks to the very broad knowledge you acquire and the network you build up, there are also many different opportunities for further development outside of investment banking, e.g. in business development or other strategically important areas of companies.

What do you wish you had known about this profession as a graduate?

I wish I had known right from the start that this job is much more exciting and varied than I originally assumed. I also initially underestimated how people-centred this job is. Dealing with a large number of internal and external contacts on a daily basis makes the job very varied.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in this job?

Gain as much work experience as possible during your studies, as this is of great benefit. Building up technical expertise in corporate finance and financial markets and products is an advantage. You should also develop a basic interest in the financial markets and in mergers and acquisitions. You should also take the opportunity to take part in the numerous case study workshops offered by the banks to get a better feel for the profession and the associated requirements.

In terms of your career, is there anything you would do differently looking back? Why?

I would try to gain more experience abroad at an earlier stage in my career. This would have accelerated my internal networking within the company and given me another valuable perspective on processes and procedures.

Is there anything else you would like to pass on to current students?

I am convinced that hard work, and therefore also the investment of time, so to speak, at an early stage in your career will pay off positively in one way or another in the long term.

As of March 2023