Simone Berthel
Country of origin: Switzerland
MSc Course: MSc Finance
Graduation year: 2023
“London is the perfect place to pursue my goals”
“My time at Bayes was a very intense period of deep personal growth for me because I learned that by being very focused and dedicated, you can achieve much more than you would have ever thought before.”
This is how Simone Berthel sums up her transformative year living in London and studying for her MSc Finance at Bayes Business School. Taught by world-leading faculty and industry experts, the programme prepares students for a career in global finance, in sectors such as hedge funds, financial services and investment banking.
“I had been working in private banking in Zurich for several years, but my undergraduate degree was in Management and did not really cover financial theories. I realised that I wanted to deepen my theoretical understanding of the financial markets and advance my career in that way. I wanted to challenge myself and to push myself beyond boundaries that I had experienced so far. I knew that I needed to broaden my horizons and have some additional knowledge in my backpack.”
“The MSc Finance was the perfect choice because it is very broad and covers a lot of topics. It has such a good ranking and is very well-regarded within the industry. I knew people who had studied this degree before, and they spoke very positively about it. They said it's very applicable to the work that they do in their jobs. I knew that this was going to be a course that would push me to grow and gain a deeper understanding of the financial markets.”
Studying in the heart of the world’s financial capital
Simone was considering other European business schools for her master’s, but it was a campus visit to Bayes which helped her choose London ahead of other leading centres of finance.
“I came on a campus tour before I applied. The staff were very friendly, and I was really impressed by the facilities and the vibrant atmosphere around the campus. This made a very positive first impression, and I could really see myself coming to Bayes. It has an amazing location in the heart of London's financial district - I felt that this was the perfect place to learn and grow in the field of finance. Also, the application process was very straightforward, and the admissions team were really helpful – I had direct one-to-one contact, and they were quick to answer my queries, which I appreciated.”
“I already knew that I was going to really enjoy London because I've travelled here many times. But then actually living here as a student was an even better experience than I had imagined. There were so many moments where I would go to a different neighbourhood in London after class and just pass by the landmarks, like Big Ben. I was so amazed that I could call this city my home.”
Support is essential to success
“As I was coming from a non-financial background, at the beginning I was a bit unsure if I had made the right decision.”
Simone received guidance from Bayes staff when she initially had doubts about whether she’d chosen the right course.
“Professor Sonia Falconieri, the Course Director, was incredibly supportive. I had some meetings with her and told her how I felt. She told me to stay focused and said, ‘I can feel that you're very passionate about it, so stick to that and you will have a great outcome’, which in the end was true - I finished the course with a distinction and was even top of my class. I would say the course didn't just teach me about theories, but also about resilience, self-belief, and the art of balancing ambition and self-care at the same time.”
I really showed myself that with dedication and passion, you can achieve everything you want.
Today Simone works for global investment firm AllianceBernstein, as a Client Relations Associate within the Asset Management sector.
“I already worked in the financial industry, but the MSc Finance gave me a deeper understanding of the financial theories and practices that I had been using on a daily basis. Now I understand the full background and it has helped me to become more confident in client conversations. I have a clearer understanding of the financial markets and can better understand discussions with investment professionals. The MSc was really valuable for me, and I have definitely profited from it.”
“The role at AllianceBernstein is a great step forward for me as it still incorporates the client aspects which I loved about my old role in private banking, but it has also added new responsibilities and opportunities. Now I'm very close to prospecting and building new client relationships. I'm covering the German and Swiss markets, so I can benefit from the languages that I have. I also get invited to road shows and client events in Germany and Switzerland, so I get to travel a little, which is a big plus and very exciting.”
Travel was also on the curriculum during Simone’s studies - in the third term of the programme, students can opt for an international elective in locations such as Madrid, Lisbon and Dubai.
“The international elective modules are a big highlight for everyone. You get a deeper insight into a specific financial theory that is not covered in the core syllabus, and you also get to explore a new city at the same time.”
“I chose to do project finance, which was entirely taught in Madrid. It was interesting. I loved Madrid. I've never been there before, so that was great. Also, the professor was very knowledgeable in his field. This was a different side of finance, one which I had not covered in my job or during the course before. That was really enriching for me.”
“It was also cool because you get to mix with other cohorts. I have really good friends now from that trip who were on a different course that I wouldn't have otherwise met.”
London networking and industry exposure
A major draw to Bayes for Simone was the opportunity to build her professional network and plot her career path.
“London is a great place for networking. You have access to lots of industry events and Bayes offers many workshops and public lectures which are really valuable. We also had a lot of company visits – evening seminars at different companies, such as Revolut. The company would introduce what they do, what roles they offer, and what they are looking for. We could talk to industry professionals, ask questions and figure out what they wanted from a potential candidate. That was really helpful for the application process, whether you applied for that company or somewhere different. They are great events for learning more about the field and figuring out which direction you want to go in.”
During her time in London, Simone has been working to strengthen her network and help others through the femella organisation – an international non-profit that aims to build a strong community for women to connect, learn and grow.
“Femella was founded in Switzerland and I had friends who were already part of it. They planned to expand within Europe this year, and they asked if I would be interested in founding a branch of the organisation here in London. We’re building a network for women in their mid-twenties after they finish university. In all London universities you have clubs and societies, but after you graduate, you don’t always have that network anymore. We organise events with companies where members can learn more about their businesses and we span multiple industries. We also run social gatherings to bring members together and create a supportive environment where passionate young women can learn, grow and develop into future leaders.”
Reflecting on her time since graduating from Bayes, Simone is excited about what lies ahead:
“It has been just over a year since I finished my master’s, but it's been a very productive and intense year. I've started a new job which I really like. I've travelled to Switzerland for client meetings and company events, which is amazing. I've co-founded femella in London, which has been such a nice experience. I've met inspiring, passionate women on the way. And I started running and ran my first half marathon in April. I think there is definitely still a lot to come.”
It’s been a real year of transformation and London is the perfect place to pursue all my future goals.
