Aisling Meany

Professional background

Aisling completed her primary Business Degree at the Quinn School of Business at the National University of Ireland, Dublin. She was employed by PwC as a trainee Accountant and completed her ACA in 2009. She graduated from the Masters in Finance programme at London Business School in 2010.

A new challenge

“My ambition was to follow my formal accountancy training with a more challenging front-office role in a prestigious Investment Bank in the City of London. I felt that London Business School with its world-class Masters in Finance faculty would equip me with state-of-the- art financial modelling and communication skills that would facilitate my entry into the highly-competitive City business environment. I also felt that the outstanding networking opportunities provided by the global London Business School alumni, faculty and peers would be a major asset in my future career and personal life.”

“My year at London Business School exceeded my expectations on all fronts. London Business School gives emphasis to team building assignments and creative interaction with faculty, business and fellow students rather than the individual competition that characterises many other business schools.”

Career development

“When it came to finding a job, the Career Services team and Finance Club were hugely supportive, providing invaluable insight on CV development and direct contacts with potential major bank employers at recruitment events. London Business School did a first rate job at preparing me for tough interviews and its brand image maximised my opportunities for successful career development.”

“I have now been with Rothschild for almost four years, in an M&A team targeting financial institutions. The Masters in Finance gave me the tools that I needed to make the transition from ACA to a corporate finance profession – and helped me to stand out from the huge pool of experienced applicants that investment banks receive every year. The feedback I received suggested that the Masters in Finance qualification is a quality ‘rubber stamp’ for your application – prospective employers know that you come with best-in-class technical skills and a global network and perspective.”

The skill-set to critically assess a model is something I could not have done to the highest level before the programme. Now I have the confidence to do this and present my ideas to senior bankers. I know my training was rigorous and the people who taught me are role models in the financial sector.

“A thorough grasp of the theory means you can question complexities with the utmost rigour and confidence, providing you with the means for getting a job completed to the highest levels of quality and accuracy within the usual very challenging time constraints.”

Positive relationships

“The School does a great job of introducing students to industry professionals through well-organised events with speakers including investment bankers and private equity professionals, available to all students. These events also typically provide students with opportunities to socialise and network with prospective employers. Such informal contacts are invaluable in identifying potential mentors and career opportunities.”

“I now am enthusiastically involved in recruitment events at Rothschild and when I’m at undergraduate university recruitment events I strongly recommend London Business School as a rewarding future opportunity. A colleague and I have presented a number of case studies to the London Business School student body with the objective of making a contribution to the global network of faculty, alumni and students of which we are proud to belong. It is a source of professional pride that Rothschild has a very positive relationship with London Business School and has significantly broadened recruiting at the School.”