Q&A

Student spotlight: Grace McAuliffe

Meet Grace McAuliffe, a member of finalist team Cicada Capital from our 2025 Investment Competition. When their Schroders case study impressed the judges and the firm itself, the team earned something beyond the prize: a three-day immersive experience at the Schroders Sydney office. Grace tells us about the moments that stuck with her — and what it’s done for her ambitions.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m currently a student at the University of Queensland studying a Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics. I’ve lived in Brisbane my whole life, so studying at UQ feels very close to home. I love spending quality time with my close friends and family, and I always enjoy opportunities to learn new skills, explore experiences and stay active.

How did you hear about Future IM/Pact and what do you find most valuable?

I first heard about Future IM/Pact through university networks and word of mouth from past participants. The most valuable part of the program for me has been the exposure to real-world applications of investments through the Investment Competition, as well as the chance to hear and gather advice from industry professionals. It has helped me understand what investment management can look like day-to-day and has given me a clearer sense of the skills required.

What interests you about a career in investment management?

I’m very drawn to investment management because it combines analytical thinking with real impact – allocating capital in order to help businesses grow and support long-term outcomes. I enjoy a challenge, so problem-solving and working in environments with important decisions to make really align naturally with the type of work I find most fulfilling.

Tell us about participating in the Investment Competition

The most valuable part was being able to work closely with my three close friends from both high school and university to build an investment thesis from the ground up. The most rewarding part was therefore presenting our final pitch; we were able to see hours of our analysis come together and evidently reflect our strength as a close-knit team. Meanwhile, the most challenging aspect of the competition would have been the extent of research and analysis required under such time pressure – just one week.

Would you do anything differently? Any advice for participants?

If I were to compete again, I see ourselves starting to organise our research immediately and divide responsibilities more deliberately in order to manage the short time period. My biggest advice: the complexity isn’t something to be intimidated by – focus on understanding the company as much as possible, and don’t hesitate to stick with what you believe despite certain obstacles that may get thrown your way.

My biggest advice for investment comp participants is: the complexity isn’t something to be intimidated by – focus on understanding the company as much as possible, and don’t hesitate to stick with what you believe despite certain obstacles that may get thrown your way.

What was the most memorable part of your 3 day experience with Schroders?

The most memorable part was getting to interact directly with analysts and portfolio managers who were genuinely open about their roles and advice they had for us, which was incredibly engaging. Hearing how they evaluate companies, risks and macro trends really gave me the opportunity to admire the extend of their positive impact on many clients’ lives.

What did you learn from sitting in on real meetings and pitches?

I learned the extent of discipline and structure going into every single investment decision – every question, assumption and detail is challenged. The importance of clear communication and concise explanations was reiterated.

What is one key insight or skill you gained from this experience that you didn’t expect?

I didn’t expect to learn so much about the storytelling aspect of an investment thesis. It is so crucial to frame it in a way that is both analytical and intuitive. It reshaped how I think about the presentation of complex financial ideas.

How did presenting your case challenge to Schroders differ from the competition setting?

Presenting the case to Schroders did differ from the competition setting, where it felt far more like a real investment committee discussion, motivating us to succeed even more. The questions we were posed pushed us to think beyond numbers and really explain the ‘why’ behind our thesis.

Did this experience influence your career aspirations? If so how?

It sure did. The career in investment management now feels so much more tangible and exciting. Seeing how teams collaborate in real-life and how much intellectual curiosity the job requires really reaffirmed that this is the field I would love to once be a part of.

What are your career goals, and what will you do to better position yourself?

In 5 years, I hope to see myself working in an investment-focused role – either in asset management, equity research or financial advisory – where I am still constantly learning. In 10, I’d like to be contributing to portfolio-sized decisions, and be comfortable in leading coverage on a sector of my own. By 20 years, I hope to be in a senior role so I can really make a difference to others’ lives and shape investment decisions with long-term impacts.

For now, I plan to continue participating in challenging finance competitions like this and seek internships in investment aligned roles. This will sharpen my understanding of the industry and modelling skills, while I continue to learn so much more.

What topics are you most curious or inspired by? Any great podcasts or books you’d recommend?

I’m really interested in AI and how it’s reshaping both business modelling and productivity. I’m also very fascinated by global macro trends, particularly how volatility can really shape investment opportunities. I’ve recently really enjoyed The Daily Aus for accessible news, which has been great for thinking long-term.

A career in investment management now feels so much more tangible and exciting. Seeing how teams collaborate in real-life and how much intellectual curiosity the job requires really reaffirmed that this is the field I would love to once be a part of.

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