Key Concepts and Working Styles in the Financial Sector
The course provided a comprehensive overview of products, modelling, pricing, and risk factors in the financial markets. Derivative markets and their typical products, such as equity, FX, interest rate, and credit derivatives, were introduced, and modelling and pricing problems were illustrated by examples. Different risk metrics and methodologies were studied from both regulatory and market perspectives.
Morgan Stanley’s program followed a schedule of four lectures in 90-minute shifts, paused with refreshments in between. As Ivett Bors claimed, "The variety of instructors made the sessions dynamic and engaging, as each brought their own expertise and unique perspective. They were knowledgeable and approachable, creating a welcoming environment where we felt comfortable asking questions.” As a result, during lunch break, students were given the opportunity to discuss employment trends in the financial sector and to understand how companies like Morgan Stanley and others are initiating new programs to provide equal opportunities for women entering the financial market.
Claudia Schläfer described the program as exceptionally useful because of its real-world-focused approach: “The practical examples and personal experiences brought the material to life and highlighted how these concepts are applied in real-world scenarios. Through real-world case studies, I better understood the decision-making process corporations undertake when choosing between equity issuance and debt financing. It broadened my perspective on the workings of financial markets and corporate strategy and equipped me with hands-on skills that I can apply in future.”
The course also allowed students to reaffirm existing knowledge and deepen their understanding of new concepts. Ágnes Nagy stated that she enjoyed the lecture as an International Business major because of its overarching international perspective. It also contributed to her knowledge from previous International Finance and Economics studies. Suppose you fear that the lectures may be too difficult for you. In that case, Botond Borza reassures us: “Despite the complexity of these topics, the lectures were designed to make them accessible and easy for students to follow. The course approached the theoretical material from a real corporate viewpoint.” Luca Kaiser shared her opinion with Botond, saying she appreciated that every definition, formula, and part of the curriculum was explained in detail, allowing the students to understand the material effectively. “The lecturers encouraged us to ask questions freely, but they were quite eager to help clarify any difficulties with problem-solving and practical examples.” – added Luca.
Thus, who would benefit from joining the course in the future? Walid Fathy Mahmoud Hagar strongly recommends this course to students ambitious about broadening their understanding of the financial industry and gaining a peek into the working style of leading companies like Morgan Stanley. Botond added that the program offered many valuable insights that could provide a deeper understanding of the above matters. Let’s give Ivett the closing remarks: “I walked away from the program feeling inspired and equipped with new and useful knowledge.”
Big thanks to Morgan Stanley for the fantastic training and the warm hospitality!
Photo: Morgan Stanley