How I Got There: William Son (MSB, Finance & International Business) | Citi Investment Banking Analyst

Posted in Student & Alumni Stories

William Son completed a major in Finance & International Business from the McDonough School of Business (MSB) at Georgetown University. During this interview, William shares about his experiences at Citi working as an Investment Banking Analyst. Learn how Georgetown shaped his path, what led William to his current position, and more insights regarding Citi and the financial industry.

What did you study in your time at Georgetown? And can you walk through the process of how you got to Citi in your current position?

I started off on the pre-med track at Georgetown aspiring to be a doctor out of high school, but coming back from my military leave, I had a shift in career interests and became more interested in our economy and the operations of businesses that serve as the building blocks of the world we live in. Therefore, I transferred to the business school where the Business Financial Management course I took with Professor Aggarwal taught me the fundamentals of finance and pushed me to explore the field. This learning experience followed by an opportunity to work part-time at a sell-side advisory firm in DC where I got first-hand experience of the role of financial professionals in the context of M&A solidified my decision to pursue a career in finance. Realizing that Investment Banking was a career path that dealt with the work I was doing on a larger and global scale with sophisticated clients, it led me to join Citigroup’s Investment Bank.

What activities/extracurriculars at Georgetown did you find most valuable and why?

I was part of the Georgetown University Student Investment Fund (GUSIF) which was a great opportunity to learn about investing and valuation of companies to prepare for a career in finance. However, it was the friends I met through the organization that I really value as I have colleagues here at Citi that were also part of the fund that I meet regularly and are one of my closest friends in New York.

What does a typical day look like for you?

The part I enjoy the most about the job is that every day is different given the various deals you get staffed on simultaneously. However, a typical day as an analyst within the Financial Sponsors Investment Banking team would involve meetings with clients where we discuss about various ways Citi could provide underwriting or M&A advisory services. Another portion of my day would involve creating client deliverables along with financial models for Citi’s internal approval processes. But in between these meetings and whenever time permits, I would try to also catch up with senior bankers, mentors, and colleagues within my team and across other groups to stay connected and build my network.

What surprised you most when you started working at Citi?

I was surprised from the start, where during my summer internship in the Financial Sponsors team within Citi’s Investment Bank, I was able to work on large and global M&A/LBO transactions that ended up being announced on the first page of the Wall Street Journal. Even today, as an analyst on the team, being able to work with global clients including management of conglomerates and senior partners at private equity funds on a day-to-day level is an experience that I value and once again highlights Citi’s strong platform and relationship with profound clients around the world.

What skills are most needed in your current role?

Many of you may worry about preparing technical skills for banking, however if you have a foundational understanding of financial accounting and basic finance concepts, you should be in a good spot to learn the additional topics once you start the job. Hence, it is even more important to bring positive energy, strong communication skills, and willingness to learn. Be prepared to step outside your comfort zone and work as a team player.

What is your advice to students interested in applying for a position at Citi?

A strong Georgetown network exists across the various divisions of Citi on both junior and senior levels. Therefore, I would advise that everyone tries to get a conversation with an alumni or employee in the direct function you are applying in order to understand the role and build relationships that will go a long way if you join the team. Citi also offers Freshman and Sophomore programs that provide students with mentorship and resources to learn about the firm and I would emphasize that students apply to these programs if they are interested in working at Citi.

What are the best ways for students to learn more about the industry?

I would say reading a couple news articles on the Wall Street Journal or the Financial Times in both the Economy and Market & Finance sections would be a great starting point to learn more about the financial industry. Initially, there will be terms and concepts that may be new and unfamiliar but there are plenty of online resources to teach these concepts which will eventually make everything click. I would also advise taking introductory level finance or accounting courses open to students of all majors at Georgetown as a great starting point to learn about financial concepts and terminology which will help significantly. For those who are more knowledgeable of the financial industry, reaching out to Georgetown alumni in the field for general advice and insight would be a great learning method as well.
What are the best ways for students to learn more about the industry?

Is there any additional career development advice or other information that you’d like to add?

College is definitely a time to explore various fields, build life-long friendship, and figure out what your strengths, weaknesses, and interests are. I believe a lot of students at Georgetown are pressured and rushed to choose careers given accelerated recruiting timelines and the activity of peers around them without learning what the job and career entails in the long run. It took me 7 years to graduate, and I am grateful I took the time to reflect and figure out my interests throughout my undergraduate journey, which I hope everyone has the chance to do as well before deciding on a career to pursue.