Networking with Brandeis alumni, green finance, trading floor tech — and more
By Riya Ohri, MSF’25
I’ll never forget the moment I stepped onto the trading floor.
Industry Treks at Brandeis International Business School are always filled with memorable moments, but this fast-paced scene inside the U.S headquarters of HSBC in New York City left a lasting impression.
Feeling the energy in the room and seeing first-hand how the traders communicate and make decisions in real time was an incredible experience.
Industry Treks are immersive programs organized by the International Business School’s Career Strategies and Engagement Center (CSE). Participating students visit top companies and network with professionals in their target industries.
On the New York trek, which also included tours of BlackRock and BNP Paribas, I built valuable personal connections with Brandeis alumni and gained a deeper understanding of the work culture and day-to-day life within the finance industry.
Here are five insights from HSBC and my Industry Trek experience.
1) Traders think fast and work as a team
I learned a lot during our trading floor tour.
The atmosphere was intense but there was also a sense of order, with everyone knowing their role in managing risk and capitalizing on opportunities. It was also clear that technology plays a vital role. Advanced trading systems and other tools provided the traders with real-time analytics to support their decision-making.
Observing all of this during the Industry Trek gave me a deeper appreciation of the skills needed to succeed in such an environment — strong analytical thinking, quick decision-making and effective teamwork.
2) Brandeis alumni are finding success at HSBC
I met four Brandeis alumni who shared their career journeys at HSBC — Sam Wang, MSF’09, Tess Serrato ’22, MA’23, Markia Neufville ’22 and Eric Fisch ’03.
Sam explained how the collaborative and dynamic nature of the trading floor shaped her career path, offering me valuable insight into the type of work culture I might thrive in. This experience deepened my understanding of the financial world and reinforced my passion for pursuing a career in finance.
3) HSBC is a leader in ‘green finance’
One standout feature of HSBC is its focus on sustainable finance and responsible investing, with a commitment to financing the transition to a low-carbon economy.
The company has set ambitious goals to become a leader in green finance and has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in its operations by 2050.
4) Internships can be leveraged into full-time roles
I also met three former HSBC interns during the trek who are now working full-time at the company. They shared their experiences of how the internship program provided them with hands-on exposure to different departments and how HSBC’s focus on hiring from within helped them transition smoothly into full-time roles.
Hearing these stories was inspiring and highlighted how internships aren’t just learning opportunities but also direct pathways to launching your career.
5) The Brandeis alumni network is so valuable!
The student-alumni networking event organized by the CSE was another highlight of my Industry Trek experience.
The Brandeis alumni I spoke with shared insights into their roles and career paths. One alum spoke about their journey from an entry-level analyst to senior positions within their company, offering valuable advice on navigating career growth in a large firm.
These personal interactions, combined with the insights from our company visits, gave me a better understanding of how I might fit in such an environment. I now have a clearer sense of the kind of workplace I want to be part of in the future.
This post originally appeared on Student Insights, a section of our website that features blog posts produced by current students and recent graduates of Brandeis International Business School. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author.
