Each year, participants of EADA’s International Master in Finance attended electives in the strategic specialisations in the third trimester. The specialisations include 12 electives divided into three areas focus aras: corporate finance, investment banking and FinTech. Here we talked to visiting professor Dean Sadek, who led the course Banking.
Dean is an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley in New York City where he is a Senior Ultra High Net Worth Specialist for their Private Banking Group. He began his career in the financial services industry in 2000. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2010, Dean worked in the Wealth Management division at Merrill Lynch and in Bank of America’s Wealth Management and Consumer Banking divisions. He also works closely with the SIFMA Foundation’s Invest it Forward initiative to teach children how companies find their way to trading on the stock exchanges and the importance of entrepreneurship in local communities.
Having a teacher from Manhattan gave us a whole new scope on finance.
Students highlighted the value of Dean’s extensive professional experience as well as his unique perspective on issues affecting the banking industry worldwide. “For me, the best part was the experience that Dean brought to the class directly from the capital of finance, New York. Having a teacher from Manhattan gave us a whole new scope on finance,” says International Master in Finance student Janis Reimanis. “This course has not only changed my view on the banking industry, but it will also help me make important career decisions in the future.”
The course included a general overview of the banking industry including financial statements and loan underwriting, as well as an analysis of the Financial Crisis of 2008 and the role of the European Central Bank. “The course introduces students to the world of banking and the many services it provides,” says Dean. “Students explore the different decisions bank officers make as well as the vital role lending plays in the world economy.”
Many participants use the strategic specialisations find out if a specific area of the finance industry is a good fit for them. “I chose the Banking course to see if I want to work in the banking industry,” says Sergi Muscat from the Master Internacional en Finanzas – Bilingüe. “Dean shared his personal perspective on the industry and showed us what the average day in the life of someone working in a top bank is like. I feel confident and well-prepared to work in banking, if that is the path that I choose to take.”
Other participants choose their electives based on an already well-defined career path like Tomás Oliveira. “As I would like to work in investment banking, getting a better sense of the role of banks was very important for my professional future,” he says. “Dean explained the industry well and the course was very comprehensive, covering both commercial and investment banking.”
The Banking course is consistently one of the highest rated courses during the strategic specialisations, and provides an excellent opportunity for participants to explore future career opportunities or develop expertise in their field of choice. Students spend the week engaging in class discussions culminating in a practical underwriting exercise based on effective risk assessment.