Alumni Success Stories

What has been your biggest achievement so far and how does it relate to your completion of the Master's degree programme in Finance at the University of Liechtenstein?

My biggest achievement since graduating from the Master’s in Finance at the University of Liechtenstein has been starting my career as a full-time Analyst at BlackRock Asset Management in Zurich, Switzerland. Scoring my first job out of Uni at the biggest asset manager in the world makes me very proud, and I truly believe that the skills I acquired during the Master’s programme have equipped me well – both from a technical and personal perspective. 

What piece of advice could you give new students regarding the MSc in Finance programme and for their respective future careers?

My piece of advice would be to always have an open mind and to use every chance to network. Don’t underestimate your strengths and possibilities, and use every opportunity to get involved in extracurricular activities. Similarly, connecting with people across the industry is key and increases your chances of getting a job. Also be sure to check out the alumni network at Unili – many peers end up in great places and are usually willing to give career advice.

What has been your biggest achievement so far and how does it relate to your completion of the Master's degree programme in Finance at the University of Liechtenstein?

I would say that landing an attractive job at an prestigous company such as Edmond de Rothschild that is built on the heritage of more than 250 years of tradition in finance has been my biggest achievement so far. This relates to the completion of my studies at the University of Liechtenstein insofar as that the programme gave me the necessary theoretical background to prepare me for my job.

What piece of advice could you give new students regarding the MSc in Finance programme and for their respective future careers?

Network, network, network! Liechtenstein is such a small country, yet full of opportunities. Keep an open mind as attending the MSc in Finance programme gives you access to an exclusive and extensive network.* Every contact might help you to advance your career in some way and you might also be able to help someone in your network to land a job by giving a referral yourself. It's give and take from which both sides can tremendously benefit. There is a saying in German that can be translated as: "You always meet twice in life." Professional and personal pathways cross again all the time and many of my fellow students became good friends and I also worked together with some. I experienced the value of benefiting from a strong network already several times. E.g.: I not only got referred from former study colleagues once but twice for both my jobs after graduation. Being recommended by someone working at the company, you are applying for, substantially increases your chances of successfully receiving an offer.

What has been your biggest achievement so far and how does it relate to your completion of the Master's degree programme in Finance at the University of Liechtenstein?

I am very proud to work in the Asset Management industry in Switzerland, which is a super attractive, challenging and fascinating career start after graduating from University. Moreover, I am thankful to be part of a truly global firm and, despite my young age, to contribute to a successful team.

The Finance Master's programme of the University of Liechtenstein played an essential role in my career's planning: it allowed me building a network in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, getting in contact with many smart people and was perfectly designed to gain necessary work experience besides the time at the University.

What piece of advice could you give new students regarding the MSc in Finance programme and for their respective future careers?

In order to receive an offer from one of the famous banking or consulting firms in Switzerland, you are expected to do more than just graduate with a Master's degree. The unofficial prerequisites are outstanding grades (yes, this is important!), prior internships, extracurricular activities as well as complementary courses (CFA, CAIA or similar). And don't forget the networking aspect: I urge you to participate in all the University of Liechtenstein events and exchange information with other students or graduates. Last but not least, never forget that rejections are part of the journey and to also enjoy the time in this unique environment of Liechtenstein.

What has been your biggest achievement so far and how does it relate to your completion of the Master's degree programme in Finance at the University of Liechtenstein?

Undisputably one of the achievements I am most proud of is becoming a client advisor at a renowned Liechtenstein bank. I had the opportunity to join the Kaiser Partner Group as a working student during the master programme, and from there, I got the possibility to rotate through various departments. This enabled me to understand the private banking business holistically. During those steps and challenges, I always felt very confident due to the solid knowledge acquired during the MSc in Finance. I genuinely believe that no matter into which particular direction you want to go in your banking career, the MSc in Finance curriculum, delivered by capable professors and industry experts, creates a great foundation. Combined with a very personal study approach and a beautiful environment, this might be the best decision to build/advance your career.

What piece of advice could you give new students regarding the MSc in Finance programme and for their respective future careers?

Although the MSc in Finance programme itself is already quite demanding – I urge you to take advantage of the substantial financial sector in Liechtenstein for hands-on experience. In my opinion, you will benefit most for your future career when you manage to combine profound theoretical knowledge with work experience in the industry.

Furthermore, I advise also to have a look at smaller institutions since particularly in the beginning of your career, the flat hierarchies help to gain deeper insights into the complete value chain. Thus, maximising the return on your time investment. Last but not least, during all the hard work that you put in for your MSc in Finance degree, don't forget to enjoy the countryside and its qualities. Moreover, I highly recommend that you participate in the international educational journies – this is an experience you definitely don't want to miss ;)

What has been your biggest achievement so far and how does it relate to your completion of the Master's degree programme in Finance at the University of Liechtenstein?

To start my professional career in the Equity Sales department of Goldman Sachs has been my biggest achievement so far. I am really proud to be part of a very international, highly motivated and truly inspiring team where a culture of continuous learning and development is helping me grow and realize my full potential every day. This achievement relates to the completion of the MSc in Finance programme as that it has prepared me well for my future career by providing the necessary theoretical financial knowledge that I can apply now on a daily basis. Studying at the University of Liechtenstein has been a very important corner stone of my career path helping me be where I am now.  

What piece of advice could you give new students regarding the MSc in Finance programme and for their respective future careers? 

Firstly, I am convinced that international exposure is very important as it signals pro-activity and the ability to manage challenging situations in an unknown environment to future employers. This is why I went on an exchange semester to Taipei, completed an internship at UniCredit in Hong Kong and studied in Liechtenstein despite being from Germany. Secondly, I recommend future students to consider their time at the University of Liechtenstein as an investment. The more time and effort you invest in your studies as well as extra-curricular and work experience, the better your future pay-off will be. I believe that success is a function of dedication, motivation, talent and especially hard work. But most importantly, you need to really love what you do – this is what keeps you striving for excellence.

What has been your biggest achievement so far and how does it relate to your completion of the Master's degree programme in Finance at the University of Liechtenstein?

Whenever good times come to an end you look back with nostalgia and ahead with excitement. Nostalgia because you know that going forward you will no longer be able to see your fellow study colleagues on a daily basis but also excitement because change also means opportunity to meet new people, grow as a person and continue learning. I am proud of having successfully completed the MSc in Finance programme which helped me in several ways to build the foundation for my current position. First, I received a comprehensive financial education. Second, I gained further cultural awareness through the internationally orientated degree programme and through an exchange semester at Kozminski University in Warsaw. Third, I have improved my problem-solving skills and learned to approach challenges calmly and objectively. All these acquired skills support me during my daily tasks at one of the most renowned investment banks in the industry.  

What piece of advice could you give new students regarding the MSc in Finance programme and for their respective future careers? 

I can only recommend to new MSc in Finance students to make the most out of their studies. Be open-minded, communicative and supportive of your fellow colleagues. You will soon see that everyone has different strengths and capabilities. The idea is to gain problem-solving competence, work together and exchange experiences in order to achieve the best possible outcome. In addition, be eager to engage with the faculty and take advantage of the After-Work lectures. They provide you with the opportunity to meet experts from the region and give valuable  insights into the financial centre of Liechtenstein. 

What has been your biggest achievement so far and how does it relate to your completion of the Master's degree programme in Finance at the University of Liechtenstein?

My biggest success so far has been to move from a regional retail bank to the global leader in wealth management and a top tier investment bank within only two years. Studying in an international and extremely challenging environment was the basis to be well prepared for an international career in banking. The low professor/student ratio is one of the university’s most valuable assets and the key for an extraordinarily steep learning curve.

What piece of advice could you give new students regarding the MSc in Finance programme and for their respective future careers? 

Benefit from semester breaks and complete as many internships as possible to build a sustainable network. This in combination with the MSc in Finance degree is the ticket for a smooth post-studies career start. Successfully running through the curriculum requires a significant level of effort and endurance. Always keep in mind: it will pay off!