Student: Mahak Jain
Degree: Masters of Banking and Finance, Monash University
Mentor: Matt Harris, Financial Adviser, Canaccord Genuity
What interests me most is that investment management and advice combines the analytical side of finance with actually having an impact on someone’s financial future. I enjoy understanding why markets move, analysing investments and thinking about risk, but I also like the idea of taking that information and helping someone make a decision that’s right for them. I think it’s a career where I’d constantly be learning, because markets and clients are always changing, and that really appeals to me.
Right now, I’m probably most curious about interest rates and how much they’re actually driving markets. With inflation still being a concern in Australia and the RBA keeping rates high, I’m interested in how investors decide where to put their money when there’s uncertainty about what happens next. I’d like to understand more about how that affects equities versus bonds and how you actually position a portfolio around that uncertainty.
I joined Career Connect because I wanted to get more exposure to different areas of finance and hear directly from people who are actually working in the industry. I have a general interest in investment management and financial advice, but I didn’t want to limit myself to one pathway too early. Career Connect has helped me understand the different roles within finance and has made me more open to areas I hadn’t really considered before. I think the biggest thing for me has been realising that there are a lot more career paths within finance than I initially thought, and it’s helped me think more seriously about what type of work I’d actually enjoy.
My mentoring relationship with Matt has been really valuable so far. Our initial conversation was quite informal and focused on getting to know each other, discussing my background, my studies and career interests, and what I was hoping to get out of the mentoring relationship. Matt was very approachable, which made it easy to have an open conversation from the beginning.
We have met several times since our initial conversation, and our discussions have covered a range of topics, particularly around building a career in financial services, developing professional skills and understanding what it is like to work in the industry. We have also discussed career progression, networking, making the most of my internship experience and thinking about the type of role and organisation I would like to work in long term.
One of my biggest takeaways has been the importance of being proactive about my career rather than simply waiting for opportunities to come to me. Matt has encouraged me to ask questions, build relationships with people in the industry and take advantage of opportunities to learn from those around me. I have also found his perspective on the transition from university into a professional career particularly useful. Overall, the conversations have given me more confidence in thinking about my career path and have helped me approach my internship with a more open and proactive mindset.
As we got to know each other and discussed my interest in financial services, Matt offered me the opportunity to shadow him in the office one day a week throughout July.
I attended the office once a week during July, where I was able to observe Matt’s day-to-day work and gain a better understanding of how a professional financial planning firm operates. It was a great opportunity to see the practical side of the industry and understand how concepts I have studied at university are applied in a real workplace.
The experience gave me valuable exposure to the financial planning industry, including seeing how client relationships are managed, how different tasks are approached and the importance of professionalism and communication. It also helped me develop a clearer understanding of what a career in financial services can look like and gave me greater confidence going into my own internship and future career.
My mentoring conversations have given me more confidence in thinking about my career path and have helped me approach my internship with a more open and proactive mindset.
My advice would be to come prepared with a few questions, but also let the conversation flow naturally. Be open, ask questions and don’t be afraid to learn from your mentor’s experiences. Most importantly, take the initiative and make the most of the opportunity.
My dream job would be in finance, where I can combine my interest in markets, business and investing with problem-solving and working with people. I hope to build a successful career while making a meaningful impact by helping businesses and individuals make better financial decisions. I also want my career to keep challenging me and give me opportunities to learn and grow.
Rafael Nadal is someone who inspires me greatly, both personally and professionally. His discipline, work ethic and resilience stand out to me. He has faced setbacks throughout his career but always stayed committed and continued to improve. His mindset has taught me the importance of staying humble, working hard and never giving up, qualities I hope to carry into my own career.
Share:
Career Connect has helped me understand the different roles within finance and made me more open to areas I hadn’t really considered before. It’s helped me think more seriously about what type of work I’d actually enjoy.