By Aydin Bolton, MIFFT2026
I remember sitting in the office, calculator open, running the numbers one more time. Tuition fees, living costs, foregone salary. On the other side: learning opportunities, career optionality, a chance to redirect my path.
The Excel model said a resounding “yes” to LBS. But spreadsheets don’t capture the knot in your stomach when you type your resignation email — or the nagging question of whether walking away from a newly promoted role was a serious mistake.
Two months into the Masters in Finance at London Business School, I can say this: some things have unfolded as expected, while others have surprised me completely.
Why I Chose the MiF
After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in London at a Big Four firm, I’ve gained plenty of hands-on experience valuing complex banking transactions and advising clients on technical financial matters through an audit lens. But I was drawn to the part of finance where analysis shapes strategic decisions and transactions, where insight drives real-world impact.
The challenge was that the path from where I was to where I wanted to be wasn’t straightforward. It would have taken a series of lateral moves, new networks, and time proving I belonged in rooms where others had more direct experience. The MiF offered something different: a chance to make that transition with intention, surrounded by people on similar journeys.
Returning to Student Life
Returning to campus after four years as a working professional has been strange in ways I didn’t anticipate – especially trading structured client deadlines for a more varied timetable, and a salary for a student budget.
One of my clearest memories from Orientation Week was meeting my classmates for the first time and hearing them share their diverse backgrounds as we got to know each other. The breadth of experience was slightly intimidating at first – I wondered if my accounting background might seem too narrow by comparison, but in study group discussions, my perspective differed from the bankers and consultants in my group and has made our discussions richer.
The shift from “senior associate” to “student” has been both humbling and refreshing. I’ve gone from being the technical expert others relied on to being one student among many exceptional ones. Yet there’s something energising about being in an environment where everyone has something different to teach you.
What I Wish I’d Known Before Day One
If I could go back and tell myself something before arriving, it would be this: everything moves much faster than you think.
Networking starts on day one. Prospective employers are on campus in the first month. Coffee chats with alumni turn into informal interviews at the same time as you’re finding a rhythm with coursework. While I was still settling in, some classmates were already deep in conversations with their target firms. It quickly became clear that getting involved early makes all the difference.
I expected the MiF to be technically rigorous, and it is, but what truly surprised me was how much the culture shapes the experience. Classmates are generous with their time and expertise, whether it’s explaining a market in another country, walking through a complex technical concept, or offering practical advice about recruiting. Some of the richest learning happens outside the classroom – in hallways, over coffee, or during informal discussions – where different perspectives come together and challenge the way you think.
The diversity of the cohort has also been eye-opening. About 95% of my cohort is international. I’m British and have lived in London for the past four years – in some ways, that makes things easier. No visa complications, no settling into a new city. But intellectually and professionally, I’m navigating unfamiliar territory like everyone else.
What I’ve realised is that everyone’s stretching beyond what’s comfortable in their own way. We’re all learning new areas of finance, adapting to different ways of thinking, and building networks from scratch. That shared experience has created something unexpectedly supportive.
Above all, I didn’t expect how much this environment would push me to grow – not just in technical ability, but in confidence and mindset. Being surrounded by people who stretch beyond their comfort zones has made me realise that I, too, belong in these conversations and that learning is happening at every turn.
A Few Lessons
Two months in, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Come with clarity about what you want. The programme moves quickly, and there are more opportunities than you can pursue. Knowing I wanted to move into M&A and investment banking has helped me focus my time.
- Be ready to start immediately. Recruiting begins before you feel ready, so start building relationships early.
- Your background matters. Whatever brought you to LBS is part of your value. I’ve stopped seeing my accounting background as something to overcome and started seeing it as a differentiator.
- You can’t do everything – and that’s okay. With clubs, competitions, social events, and networking happening constantly, learning to say no to good opportunities so you can focus on the right ones is an ongoing process.
I didn’t anticipate how much the LBS experience would shift my confidence – not just in my technical abilities, but in my sense of belonging in finance.
I’d spent years checking others’ work and stress-testing assumptions. That builds a certain competence – but also a persistent doubt. Being here – building models rather than auditing them, contributing to discussions rather than reviewing them afterwards – has started to quiet that voice. I’m not just technically capable – I belong in these conversations.
Looking Ahead: Clarity, Confidence, and Curiosity
Two months in, I’m no longer questioning whether this was the right decision. The path ahead is clearer now. I’m focused on making the most of this opportunity, leaving space for the unexpected: conversations that might shift my thinking and the opportunities I haven’t yet imagined.
What I know for certain is this: I’m surrounded by remarkable people who push me to think differently, professors who deepen my understanding of finance, and a community that’s genuinely invested in each other’s success.
If you’re considering the MiF and want to discuss what the first few months look like – especially if you’re transitioning from accounting or a non-traditional background – I’m happy to chat: abolton.mifft2026@london.edu.