As promised, I wanted to spend some time this week to talk about my job and discuss how I ended up in finance.
I currently work for a small branch of General Electric, call GE Energy Financial Services (EFS). As you can probably guess, my day is not filled with thermodynamics problems, but the experience so far has been tremendous. GE EFS is a subsidiary of GE Capital, and is responsible for the majority of energy investing that happens at GE. Our office is relatively small, with only ~275 employees, but carries the credibility and expertise that comes with the larger GE Company. EFS invests in energy infrastructure across the globe, from coal power plants to natural gas pipelines, oil reserves to wind and solar farms. These types of assets are typically worth tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars, so each investment thesis requires a strong fundamental understanding of project finance, energy markets, technology and environmental risks, and other fundamental drivers that affect the value of a power plant or a pipeline.
I am part of a three year Analyst rotational program in which the Analysts rotate through different divisions of the company each year. The experience has allowed me to gain knowledge of not only the financial concepts behind an investment evaluation, but also an understanding of the legal framework, tax policies, capital market limitations, and environmental and technological considerations behind each investment we make. I have had the opportunity to build a rather unique expertise, utilizing both my technical background to understand the technologies and markets in which we invest, while also developing the financial expertise to evaluate investment opportunities in the energy space.
Of course, beside the fact that the energy industry is an inherently technical field, nothing in the above two paragraphs actually requires an engineering degree. Let me first reiterate the point I made last week, just so it is clear where I stand: engineering is a fantastic major. A career as an engineer can be challenging and extremely rewarding, but it is not for everyone. The reason I am still so partial to the engineering pathway is because, first and foremost, it teaches students to work hard, which brings immediate credibility during a job search. Beyond that though, engineering really develops a tool set in the students that are willing to stick with it – the ability to pragmatically frame and tackle complex challenges by breaking issues down into a series of executable steps. An engineering degree takes this concept and teaches students to use it, repeatedly, in every project or challenge they face, regardless of the subject matter.
I have known for a while that I wanted to work in the energy space, but about halfway through school, I recognized that I did not want to do it as an engineer. It was at this point that I started looking at opportunities outside of the engineering field, and was attracted to the financial side of the industry. The finance field is analytical enough that an engineering degree is appreciated, but I fully recognize many of you (who do not want to work as an engineer) may be considering sales, marketing, consulting, etc.
A general word of advice for any job or internship search: find a contact at the company. Everyone probably says this, but I cannot express how key this point is. I heard this advice as well when I was in school, and really did not take it too seriously until I was a senior. I have had the chance to review resumes for the Analyst Program at EFS, and I can tell you that it makes a huge difference when someone within the company can say that they recommend this person. Or that they at least got to meet them. Even that they got a personal email from this person expressing interest. It speaks volumes when your perspective on every other candidate is one side of a piece of paper. This advice becomes significantly more important if you’re trying to make a move into sales, finance, journalism, etc. Some companies put filters on their resumes for certain majors or certain internships, and the only way to give yourself a chance is to make an impression on someone at the company. The advice seems self-explanatory, but it is much harder to execute on in the middle of the mad rush for jobs in September of your senior year. Career fairs become critical, so take full advantage of these opportunities – and believe me, the people you talk to your freshman year will remember you by the time your senior year rolls around.
When I was searching for a job though, I did not apply to one company that came to the Career Fair. None of them were in my field of interest. So the next set of resources becomes everyone: professors, Career Center employees (both Business and SoE), mentors, family friends, everyone. You would be surprised to learn how many connections are out there. The ultimate advice I can provide is corny and something you have probably heard frequently, but you have to go get your first job. The opportunity will not just present itself, particularly if you’re moving into a different field than the one listed on your diploma.
I was fortunate to make some great connections and develop some fantastic mentors while at KU, some of which ultimately helped me land where I am today. For that reason, if I can ever help anyone in a similar way, I would be happy to do so. Email me anytime at [email protected]. Any specific advice beyond the above really depends on which field you want to get into, but I would be happy to help if I can.
My final bit of advice before I call it a week: go to as many games in Allen Fieldhouse, Memorial Stadium, and Kauffman Stadium as you can while at KU. These Northeasterner’s just don’t get college sports and small-market baseball teams like us Kansans do.
Until next week,
Brian