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Name:<\/b> Alif Kanji<\/span><\/p>\n Class Year:<\/b> 2018<\/span><\/p>\n Title:<\/b> Investment Banking M&A – Senior Analyst<\/span><\/p>\n Organization Name:<\/b> Canaccord Genuity<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n The chief role an investment banking analyst plays is to support deal execution and client advisory by conducting financial analysis, preparing key presentations, and managing due diligence to help a company achieve their strategic goal of being acquired, acquiring another company, or raising capital through the public or private markets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn\/decide it was a good fit for you?\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0I had not initially planned to pursue a career in financial services; the decision came during the latter half of my time at Holy Cross. Being late to the process and unfamiliar with the structured interview cycles, I began my career at State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) in the SPDR division, where I focused on the financial sales of ETFs. After about a year, I realized I wanted a more analytical and fast-paced role, which led me to explore opportunities in investment banking. The Holy Cross alumni network was instrumental in helping me navigate this transition, particularly given the regimented recruiting process in investment banking, where lateral hires are rare. Despite having three years of work experience, I was still required to complete an internship at the first investment bank I joined before securing a full-time role. Though my path to banking was unconventional, I\u2019m grateful for the journey and the decision to make the leap.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?<\/b><\/p>\n During my time on campus, I was primarily involved with The Holy Cross Crusader and worked on a few personal projects that I initiated with classmates.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?<\/b><\/p>\n I majored in Environmental Science, though when I decided I wanted to work in financial services, I declared an Economics major.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?<\/b><\/p>\n One of the most valuable skills I developed at Holy Cross is the ability to quickly and efficiently learn new concepts, a strength cultivated through the breadth and rigor of a liberal arts education.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?<\/b><\/p>\n While preparing for investment banking interviews and networking with Holy Cross alumni in the field is essential, my key advice is to broaden your perspective beyond the well-known \u201cbulge bracket\u201d banks when applying for internships or jobs. While these firms may have strong brand appeal, there are many other exceptional opportunities at \u201celite boutiques\u201d and \u201cmiddle-market\u201d firms. These firms often provide hands-on experience and greater exposure to the full spectrum of the M&A process, allowing you to develop a well-rounded skill set and gain valuable insights into the investing landscape.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Name: Alif Kanji Class Year: 2018 Title: Investment Banking M&A – Senior Analyst Organization Name: Canaccord Genuity 1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?\u00a0 The chief role an investment banking analyst plays is to support deal execution and client advisory by conducting financial analysis, preparing key presentations, and managing due diligence to … <\/p>\n