Q&A

Student spotlight: Eva Lin

eva lin

Meet Eva Lin, one of the winning team members in our 2023 Investment Competition. As her prize, Eva chose an internship with Munro Partners which starts in the winter. In the meantime she has completed an internship with Platinum Asset Management and shares her positive and inspiring experience of the work, people and mentors she encountered.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m Eva, studying at UNSW Sydney. I am currently in my final year of a dual degree in Commerce and Science. My interests are deeply rooted in investment management, but I also find time to indulge in reading and dance, which both support and provide a nice balance to my academic and career pursuits.

How did you first hear about Future IM/Pact?

I first encountered Future IM/Pact in 2023 through an investment competition organised in collaboration with one of my university’s societies. As I was already interested in the field, some friends and I decided to put together a team and enter. Our win in that competition deepened our engagement with Future IM/Pact, including internships at some of their numerous and respected industry partners. 

What do you find more valuable about the program?

One of the most valuable aspects of the Future IM/Pact program has been the extensive network and the continuous support system. Whether it’s through industry opportunities, career masterclasses, or the competitive yet educational investment competitions, the program provides an incredibly supportive environment for personal and professional growth. 

What interests you about a career in investment management?

Though I was interested in the field, I hadn’t had a practical taste of what investment management would be like as a career prior to the Future IM/Pact competition. My interaction with Future IM/Pact gave insight to what the daily tasks in investment management would look like, and solidified the appeal of being valued for the analytical and judgemental skills you bring to significant financial decisions. 

Tell us about your experience participating in the Investment Competition

Participating in the investment competition was an amazing experience. It was not only about practicing and honing my analytical skills in a team, but also the experience of presenting to a judging panel of actual experts in the field. Though the balance of university studies and intense competition rounds was challenging, the chance to see the presentations of peers across the nation, and ourselves present to, and receive feedback from industry professionals was particularly rewarding. 

Is there anything you’d do differently? Any advice for this year’s participants?

My advice for this year’s participants and if I were to approach the competition again, is to keep an open mind while answering the competition question. We tend to already have biases or conclusions formed even before diving into any research, particularly for familiar markets or companies. I would say the conscious avoidance of these assumptions is a key differentiator between something that would suffice for a university assignment, and something that is uniquely analytical and thoughtful. 

My internship experience at Platinum Asset Management was incredibly formative, and has me very excited for my upcoming experience at Munro Partners.

Tell us about your internship with Platinum Asset Management

My internship experience at Platinum Asset Management was incredibly formative, and has me very excited for my upcoming experience at Munro Partners. I spent a month at Platinum, where I was part of the technology investment team, analysing potential tech stock buys or sells. I particularly looked forward to the internship due to their fundamentals focus on intrinsic value and active search for mispricings. This type of investment philosophy resonates with my own, and is the type of work I envision myself immersed in for a career. 

Is this your first internship/role at an investment management firm?

This was the first internship/role in the world of investment management, and the insights it provided were invaluable. It allowed me to acquire a real-world perspective on the daily operations within an investment firm, and learn about investment techniques that would not be found from any university. 

What did you enjoy most about your internship?

Throughout my internship, I deeply appreciated the opportunity to thoroughly analyse a single business, diving into its business model, growth, and sustainability. Equally rewarding was the culture of knowledge sharing fostered by the people, who were always eager to provide insights and a comprehensive understanding of the industry. 

Did you meet any mentors/role models?

During my internship, I had the absolute privilege of working under the guidance of my direct manager, Jimmy, who was an exceptional mentor and role model. His expertise in investment management, analysis of the field and encouragement has certainly been instrumental in reinforcing my desire to pursue a career in this field, as well as highlighting a clear pathway for professional growth within the industry. 

What will you do over the coming years to better position yourself for an investing career?

Looking forward, I aim to explore various investment techniques and niches, and gain experiences across different firms to understand diverse investment strategies. Engaging with industry professionals through events and programs offered by Future IM/Pact will further augment my learning and professional network. 

As a young woman, do you feel confident and supported to pursue a career in investment management? 

As a young woman in investment management, I see the initiatives aimed at increasing female representation in the field, and feel both confident in them and supported by them. Barriers still exist, particularly in advancing to senior roles within the industry, but I have confidence in the continued gender equity and mentorship efforts, and their ability to make progress in overcoming these challenges. 

Did you notice a gender imbalance within the workforce during your internship?

During my internship, I very impressed at the overall gender balance within the firm. Though a slight gender imbalance remains in senior positions, I can see the gradual rolling over of new female hires up to more senior roles in progress, and hold high confidence in the future of field being a place for both genders to flourish!  

Share:

Though I was interested in the field, Future IM/Pact gave insight to what the daily tasks in investment management would look like, and solidified the appeal of being valued for the analytical and judgemental skills I can bring.

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