Printer Friendly

	Your Opportunity as an Associate in Investment Banking

An overview of this program's objectives and how you can benefit

Our goal is to give our Investment Banking Division (IBD) Associates a basic foundation so that they can have a successful career in Morgan Stanley's Investment Banking Division. You will be working alongside senior-level financial and strategic decision makers at some of the world's largest corporations, and you will gain experience in helping smaller, entrepreneurial and dynamic firms primed for growth.

Given the breadth of IBD's business in Asia Pacific, Associates have the opportunity to work on transactions with clients in a variety of locations throughout the region.

The challenge begins with understanding the client's goals, and extends to analyzing options, developing ideas, driving strategies and delivering advice that will shape the course of business.

Your projects may involve a merger, an IPO or financing a new venture. You may lead a competitive auction process to divest a business, identify potential strategic acquisition targets, negotiate with oil companies over the financing of a new pipeline, evaluate the proposed location for an industrial plant, organize a road show for potential investors in a major new equity offering or advise your team on how to tackle a complex piece of analysis.

The Associate Program in Investment Banking
How the program works and the day-to-day experience you can expect

Associates would be assigned to a specific country, industry or product groups where they would gain in-depth exposure to the specific group, its services and clients.  For example, Associates may move directly into Real Estate, General Industrial Group or Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A).

The roles and responsibilities vary by department but may include:

• Managing and assisting in the execution of corporate finance transactions
• Performing financial analysis, strategic business analysis and detailed industry research
• Contributing to team discussions and client meetings
• Providing rapid and accurate market judgments to colleagues and clients
• Preparing and delivering client presentations in a clear and compelling manner
• Acting as a mentor and role model to Analysts

Launching Your Career
The initial training that you receive on starting the program

The IBD Associate Program begins with an intensive four-week training program in Hong Kong, featuring presentations from senior internal speakers and industry experts typically covering subjects such as:

• Valuation interpretation and application
• Financial statement analysis
• Capital structure
• Financing solutions
• M&A processes
• Merger analysis

At the end of the training program, we would expect you to take the required regulatory examinations. We will help you prepare for this testing.

In addition to rigorous quantitative training, Morgan Stanley believes in giving Associates the necessary tools to grow and develop in their roles at the firm. Our deal teams afford Associates the opportunity to work closely with senior officers, and informal networking events allow them to build a network of contacts among colleagues and throughout the organization.

The firm encourages open lines of communication among professionals at all levels, and has implemented a formal mentoring program. Associates are generally matched with an officer who remains with them throughout their employment to provide career guidance, networking connections, and other leadership support. We also support our Associates in gaining additional financial/business qualifications that are relevant to their goals.

As a part of the program, you will get to know your colleagues through social events that will launch you on building your lifelong professional network.

Developing Your Career
What you can anticipate as you make progress and after completing the program

The first year is designed to give Associates an understanding of how our bankers determine a client's needs and how they meet their strategic objectives. This enables Associates to build upon their broadened skill base. The firm provides ongoing training and mentoring that typically supports you as you  advance your career to the next level. At the end of your Associate tenure, you would typically be considered for promotion to Vice President. If you continue to excel, you can potentially become an Executive Director and ultimately a Managing Director.

Is Investment Banking Right for You?
A checklist to help you decide if you have the skills and temperament for this area

• You have strong analytical skills and the ability to quickly grasp complex data.
• You have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to form effective working relationships.
• You thrive on intellectual challenge and work with confidence, and pursue your assignments with excellence.
• You are ambitious and motivated to become an industry, product or regional expert.
• You must be able to manage multiple projects, provide complicated financial analysis, and develop appropriate corporate finance solutions.

Requirements
You must have an MBA and a top class degree and/or approximately 2-5 years of work experience. Both oral and written fluency in English are required and fluency in Mandarin or Korean is beneficial.

Selection Process
We typically conduct at least two rounds of interviews for our Associate program. Interviews will be arranged either on campus or via phone for the first round. The final stage of our process is usually a full-day interview session held at our offices in New York or Hong Kong.

How to Apply and Deadlines
Please visit our website at: http://www.morganstanley.com/about/careers/recruiting/apply.html