Get to Know UBS: Ishita Banerjee
Name: Ishita Banerjee
Grade: Junior
Major: Economics Major, Accounting Minor
Career Interest: Finance
Q- What got you interested in investment banking?
A- When I first came to college, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in business, but I didn’t really know the different career paths that ‘business’ encompassed. By talking to older students, getting involved on campus, and applying to exploratory programs, I was able to dip my toes in different fields and realized I was most inclined towards investment banking. I like that you’re continuously learning on the job, working on stimulating and industry-changing projects, and constantly challenged.
Q- Any advice to students pursuing the same career path or internship experience?
A- The urgency of early IB recruiting timelines can sometimes engulf you in a tunnel-visioned need to be as prepared as possible, so it’s very important to take a step back initially and explore your options to the best of your abilities! Investment banking is a very demanding career choice so before committing to it, make sure to talk to people in the field, explore alternate options, and research it thoroughly. Once you’ve cemented your intent to pursue IB, fully prepare yourself by studying guides, doing mock interviews, and networking with firms you’re interested in.
Q- What interview tips do you have?
A- While it’s great to be as prepared as possible for behavioral and technical questions, don’t forget to show your personality to your interviewers! In a field like investment banking where you spend more time with your colleagues than otherwise, it’s important to show your interviewers that you’re someone they’d want to hang out with at work at 11pm on a Friday night. Smile, answer questions with enthusiasm, and try to inject your personality into every answer you give (although not forcefully!), especially to behavioral questions.
Q- What has been your greatest challenge at UCLA so far?
A- Coming from a high-school graduating class of 36 students, it’s safe to say I was quite overwhelmed when I came to UCLA as 1 of 30,000 undergraduate students. Whereas before, opportunities were being handed to me on a platter, I was now in a place where every opportunity was a competition between hundreds of students. When trying to get involved on campus, I ended up taking rejections personally, and was losing motivation. Overcoming the rejections and turning them into learning experiences was the most difficult but rewarding thing I’ve done at UCLA, and I continue to reap the benefits of that even today.
Q- How did you first get involved with UBS?
A- I joined UBS my sophomore year as a Financial Services committee member. I wanted to get involved in a club where I could meet and learn from people that had a range of experiences, and thought UBS was the best place for that - I wasn’t disappointed!
Q- What did you do last summer professionally or for fun?
A- Last summer I interned at Deutsche Bank in San Francisco, went back home to Singapore, visited Bali with family, and went to Vancouver to meet one of my closest friends. All in all, it was a very fulfilling summer, both professionally and personally!
Q- What are your best memories of UBS?
A- The conversations that I have with UBS members while we’re waiting for the events we’re organizing to end. Since the stress of planning the event is gone by then, the conversations are a lot less formal and have allowed me to get to know other members a lot better.
Q- What’s on your bucket list this year?
A- I definitely want to try to go to more concerts and explore the U.S more. I’ve already managed to catch Chance the Rapper, Khalid, Tyga, Marshmello, and a couple of other artists in concerts this year, and I’m planning to visit San Diego soon, so I’d like to think I’m on track with my list!