Immanol Serrano, a third-year Bachelor in Business Administration student, was selected to take part in the LSE Alternative Investments Conference held in London on January 21st and 22nd. Founded in 2005, it is the world’s largest student conference on hedge funds, private equity, and venture capital, bringing together senior-level industry visionaries and student delegates from leading educational institutions.
Out of over 6,000 applicants, 325 delegates were selected to participate. Of these delegates, 11 were IE University students. According to the organization, those who are invited to the conference are “some of the smartest and most ambitious students from all around the world.”
We sat down with Immanol to learn more about his experience at the LSE AIC, and how IE University has helped him embrace remarkable opportunities like these.
How did you find out about this conference?
I first heard about this opportunity from professionals in the finance industry. The event is well known because it brings together some of the brightest and most talented young minds from top international academic institutions, allowing them to connect with highly influential investors in the industry. At this year’s conference, Peter Singer, founder of Elliott Management Corporation (an investment firm managing approximately $34 billion in assets) presented a keynote speech.
I also found out about the event through IE Talent & Careers. This department is constantly telling us about countless exciting opportunities via email. It’s a great way to keep students up to date with everything that’s going on!
Can you tell us a little bit about the conference itself? What did you like most about this experience?
It’s hard for me to put into words what this conference meant to me. Participating in the LSE AIC was an exceptional way to get fresh insights into the world of alternative investments and to learn more about the promising future of this field.
On top of that, delegates are invited to take part in workshops with firms such as The Carlyle Group, Bain Capital, and Goldman Sachs. During the workshops, HR representatives from these leading firms are passively recruiting and sharing information about internships and job opportunities available at their companies. For example, if a delegate recently applied for a position, recruiters might be able to accelerate that person’s application process. .
However, I have to say that the best part of this experience for me was being constantly surrounded by inspiring individuals with the potential to become the world-class leaders of tomorrow.
How do you feel your IE University experience helped you during this event?
IE University played an important role in the conference, not only because there were 11 of us representing IE University as delegates, but also because it was the only educational institution directly participating in the conference. Irina Zilbergleyt, Director of International Markets and Careers Advisor for the Masters in Finance and MBA programs, gave a workshop offering insights and advice regarding breaking into the private equity sector. In addition, IE Business School is quickly gaining prestige within London’s financial industry, which benefits both current students and alumni.
Would you like to share any tips or advice with current students who may be interested in attending the conference in the future?
Absolutely! I encourage everyone to apply for this annual conference, and to not be put off by the travel costs or low acceptance rate. As long as you are interested in a future in finance, you’ll find that the conference has a high return on investment.
It’s been an honor representing our community in London. I’m very thankful for this experience, and all of the incredible opportunities available to us as IE University students. I strongly feel that IE University’s strong reputation in the finance world was a big part of what made me stand out among the applicants, and what got me invited to this extremely exclusive conference.