Sera Tai
June 13, 2024 2024-06-20 10:29Sera Tai
Internship Testimonials
![](https://mba.hkubs.hku.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Sera-Tai-1.png)
Class of 2024
Sera Tai
Pre-MBA Job Title
Assistant Manager
Internship Company
Private Asset Management
Can you briefly describe the internship you completed and the company/organsation you worked for?
During my internship, I had the opportunity to work at a Chinese equity-focused Hedge Fund. The company places strong emphasis on the fundamental aspects of the companies it invests in. Initially, my role primarily involved assisting the operations department, allowing me to collaborate closely with my colleagues in that area for the first two months. However, as the company was highly supportive of its employees’ personal interests, I was able to engage in a meaningful conversation with the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of the company. From the third month onwards, my responsibilities shifted to working closely with the investment team. Additionally, I was fortunate to receive training from three experienced analysts, enabling me to prepare myself to become a qualified analyst in the hedge fund industry.
What was the duration of the internship?
The duration of the internship is approximately 8 months, which will end on 30th Aug, 2024.
What were your main responsibilities and day-to-day duties during the internship?
Operation side:
- I have independently developed an automated financial dashboard template for cost analysis and cash flow projection.
- I assist the COO in analyzing the ESG performance of companies in the investment portfolio. I continuously search for new theories and tools to better identify portfolio company risks while adhering to the ESG standards.
- Furthermore, I have established a collaborative workspace for more efficient and effective teamwork.
Investment side:
- I am responsible for collecting the latest information from the sell side and extracting key details.
- I gather relevant information on portfolio companies and conduct research on their respective industry’s business models, supply and demand relationships, competitive dynamics, company operations, growth trajectory, and revenue projections.
- Additionally, I perform financial modeling for a specific company, which includes profit forecasting and valuation assessment.
What are the key lessons and skills you gained from your internship?
- I have gained a basic understanding of how a fund operates, including its investment strategies, risk management practices, and regulatory compliance requirements.
- I have familiarized myself with the research methodologies employed by analysts specializing in secondary market investments. This includes conducting in-depth research on target companies, analyzing their financial statements, assessing their competitive position, and evaluating industry trends and market dynamics.
- I am continuously enhancing my ability to retrieve top-notch information from diverse sources, including financial databases, industry reports, and expert opinions. I am also refining my expertise in combing through large volumes of intricate data to extract valuable and critical insights that empower individuals to make well-informed investment decisions.
How did the internship complement or reinforce what you were learning in your MBA programme?
At the beginning of my MBA program, I had a strong desire to transition into the investment industry. To pursue this goal, I selected a range of finance-related elective courses: Mergers and Acquisitions, Venture Capital & Private Equity, Derivatives and structured finance, and Investment & Asset Allocation. Coming from a background in financial statement audit, I naturally gravitated towards focusing on financial-related information. However, during my coursework, I gradually realized the importance of qualitative research, such as analyzing business models and conducting industry studies.
Although I had gained theoretical knowledge in these areas, I had not yet had the opportunity to put them into practice. It was during my internship that I truly recognized the significance of qualitative analysis and had the chance to apply both qualitative and quantitative methods in investment analysis. This experience further reinforced my understanding of the importance of comprehensive research and the integration of both qualitative and quantitative approaches in making informed investment decisions.
What was the most rewarding or impactful part of your internship experience?
There is an idiom in Chinese called “qu xian jiu guo (曲线救国)”, which means taking a roundabout way to solve a problem. I have always been interested in conducting research on secondary market investments, but job opportunities in this field are limited. At the end of last year, my career manager Mainy at the CDT team told me that the operations department of a hedge fund was looking for an intern. Although this job was not exactly what I had envisioned for my future career, I saw it as an opportunity to gain valuable experience and learn new skills in industry that I’m interested in.
During my internship, I utilized my previous skills to complete the tasks assigned to me as quickly and effectively as possible. After completing the assigned tasks, the COO asked me about my interests, which gave me the opportunity to work on the analysis that I was truly passionate about. This transition was a recognition of my past work ability and provided me with a good starting point for my career change based on my previous work experience. It also demonstrated that taking a roundabout way to achieve my goals was a worthwhile decision, and I am grateful for the opportunity to explore my passion in the investment industry.
Please describe your experience searching for an internship.
My career manager Mainy from the CDT team recommended this internship to me.
How did the internship experience shape your career goals or plans after graduation?
It helps me to confirm that I am truly interested in Investment analysis, and made my decision to continue pursue my career in this industry in Hong Kong.
What advice would you give to MBA students on how to get the most out of their internships?
- First, focus on completing the tasks assigned to you to the best of your abilities. Once you prove your competence, take the initiative to express your interest in specific areas and inquire about potential opportunities in those areas.
- For things that you are unfamiliar with, take the time to think about it, and then promptly ask questions to clarify your understanding.