Investing in Your Dreams: insights from Old Haileyburians in Finance

We were delighted to welcome two Old Haileyburians working in finance to the panel of our recent Connect Careers Webinar – Investing in Your Dreams. Joaquin Morte von Jacobs (Edmonstone, 2016) currently working in investment banking and Lucy Simister (Alban’s, 2020) a finance analyst at a global payments company, brought a wealth of experience, unique perspectives and a passion for sharing honest and practical advice with the next generation.

Pathways into Finance

Diverse academic studies ranging from economics to broader humanities, a willingness to try new things and practical experience beyond the classroom all featured in their stories and advice. Joaquin highlighted the critical nature of internship experiences, the “numbers game” of applying, the role of the alumni network and the sheer tenacity needed to break through. Lucy stressed the importance of persistence, leveraging online courses and showcasing a broader skillset with extracurricular activities and part time jobs.

Would they choose the same path again?

Neither panellist believed there is a single “right” route into finance.

• Joaquin pointed out the value of a variety of experiences and emphasised strong cover letters, leveraging university placement services and the necessity of perseverance – he himself landed his crucial internship just weeks before it started.
• Lucy encouraged flexibility. Her own route provided evidence that your degree need not be in finance, so long as you show clear interest through courses. She underscored the value of “just getting experience” in any form and framing it positively on your CV.

Key Takeaways

• Seek out work experience, whether formal internships or part-time jobs – every experience builds skills.
• Build your network with intention, starting early and being fearless in reaching out.
• Develop resilience and keep perspective – success in finance is often about persistence and adaptability.
• Don’t be afraid of ‘wrong turns’: each panellist’s story featured experiments and pivots. Trying out different roles, even those outside core finance builds skills and may reveal unexpected passions.
• Enjoy the journey – finance offers variety, challenge and real-world impact for those who remain open and adaptive.

A heartfelt thanks to Joaquin and Lucy for sharing such frank insight and practical advice and to everyone who joined us for adding energy and curiosity to the conversation.

Watch the full recording on haileyburyconnect.com and sign up to our next Connect Careers Webinar: Exploring Tech Careers: from coding to cyber security – Tuesday 10 February, 7.30pm.