For me, the Master in Finance at IÉSEG was about much more than academics — it was about building meaningful relationships with ambitious, driven people from all around the world. When you arrive in a new country, your friends become your family.

Very quickly, I found a team of dedicated classmates who shared similar goals and values. We studied together, debated, prepared for exams during long nights, celebrated our wins — and in the end, we succeeded together. Today, it’s incredible to see many of them in finance roles across the globe, and I’m proud to be part of that network.

IÉSEG gave me not only technical knowledge but a strong international community that continues to inspire me.

The courses I enjoyed the most were Portfolio Management and Firm Valuation. In these courses, we didn’t just learn theory; we applied it directly through hands-on projects that mirrored real-life financial analysis. In Portfolio Management, we were challenged to construct and evaluate investment portfolios by analyzing risk, return, and volatility. We used key metrics like the Sharpe and Treynor ratios to assess performance. One especially interesting insight came from a part of the final project where we compared our portfolios to the S&P 500 index — and saw that, on average, we did not beat the market. That was a powerful lesson in market efficiency and the challenges of active management.

In Firm Valuation, we completed a hands-on project analyzing Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company behind Ozempic. We conducted an industry and competitor analysis, forecasted financials, calculated the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), and ultimately determined whether the stock was over- or undervalued. Although we all carried out an in-depth, data-driven analysis, what stood out to me was the realization that there isn’t always a straightforward answer when it comes to investment decisions. Whether to invest or not often depends on individual preferences, risk tolerance, and the investment strategy one follows.

In finance, there’s rarely a one-size-fits-all formula — and that’s part of what makes the field so intellectually engaging. These projects were intense but incredibly rewarding. The professors sparked our curiosity and encouraged us to explore the material beyond the classroom.

The finance job market is increasingly competitive, and IÉSEG gave me the preparation and confidence to pursue roles in corporate finance, banking, and consulting. The program is well-designed, with up-to-date courses that reflect what companies are looking for. I was even part of one of the few classes covering blockchain and its financial implications — the kind of differentiator that stands out in job applications. Studying in such an international environment helped me develop adaptability and cross-cultural communication — essential skills in today’s global workplace. The group projects also taught me to navigate different working styles and manage deadlines effectively. What stood out to me the most was the accessibility and support from professors and directors. Even now, two years later, they still remember us and are happy to stay in touch — a testament to the strength of the IÉSEG community. I’m confident they’ll be valuable allies in any future projects or collaborations.

Published on: September 15, 2025