by Valentina Rodriguez, MIFFT2026
In this Student Spotlight, we speak with Masters in Finance Full-Time student, Valentina Rodriguez, whose journey into finance began with curiosity. Shaped by years in investment banking before returning to the classroom, Valentina shares her insights on global finance, the power of diversity and cross-culture collaboration at London Business School. From challenging misconceptions about the finance industry to finding balance in her life in London, she offers a candid glimpse into her Masters in Finance (MiF) experience so far and the personal and professional growth that comes with it.
What was the pivotal moment that made you choose finance? How has that motivation evolved since your first day on the MiF?
My path into finance started during my undergraduate studies, when I decided to test whether an interest that had been mostly theoretical would hold up outside the classroom. That curiosity led me to an internship in investment banking, which became my first real trial run.
Looking back, I don’t think there was a single “aha, this is my calling” moment when everything suddenly clicked. If anything, it happened somewhere between having absolutely no idea what was going on and realising that I was slowly starting to get the hang of it. I enjoyed the constant learning, the opportunity to use a broader skill set than I had expected, and the fact that no two days were ever quite the same. The experience was challenging but incredibly rewarding, and it gave me the confirmation I was looking for, along with a solid foundation for the years that followed.
Since starting the MiF, my motivation has only grown. After almost five fast-paced years in investment banking, the programme has given me the space to step back and look at finance from a broader, more global perspective. It has allowed me to deepen my knowledge across different areas of finance, while also revisiting concepts and past experiences with more context and a clearer understanding. Beyond reinforcing my interest in finance, the MiF has given me a stronger sense of career direction and renewed motivation to put what I have learned into practice.
With such an international and diverse class, what is one insight you’ve gained from a classmate that shifted your perspective on global finance?
One insight that really stayed with me is how similar financial decisions can look completely different once you factor in elements such as local regulation, political risk, cultural context, and broader market and institutional dynamics.
Through class discussions, it became clear that approaches I had previously taken for granted in one market would not necessarily translate to another. Hearing how classmates analyse the same problems through the lens of their own markets pushed the conversation well beyond theory and into how finance actually works in practice. More than anything, it made me realise that global finance is less about applying universal frameworks and more about understanding context. Knowing when to adapt your thinking is often just as important as knowing the theory itself.
How would you describe the LBS classroom dynamic to someone who has never experienced it? What has surprised you most?
The LBS classroom showed me what diversity really looks like in practice. Being surrounded by people from different cultures, countries, and professional backgrounds means that almost every contribution brings a unique perspective, making discussions dynamic, practical, and often unexpectedly insightful.
What has surprised me most is how often classroom discussions challenge ideas you assumed were universal, only to reveal how context-dependent they really are. You quickly see how core concepts like leadership, trust, disagreement, and communication vary widely across cultures, and how crucial it is to step outside your own cultural lens when interpreting the world. It is a bit like realising that, across cultures, comments like “that is an original point of view” can mean anything from genuine praise to “your idea is stupid”.
This dynamic constantly pulls you out of your default way of thinking and encourages you to watch and listen more carefully, communicate more intentionally, and carry that global mindset well beyond the classroom.
What’s one misconception people have about the finance industry that your experience at LBS has helped clarify?
One common misconception about the finance industry is that it is fairly static. Coming back to study after several years in the industry, my experience at LBS quickly showed me otherwise. Through coursework, class discussions, and conversations with classmates, it became clear just how fast markets actually evolve.
Finance today is shaped by constant change. Financial innovation, regulatory developments, and technological advances are constantly reshaping how markets operate and how financial decisions are made. My experience at LBS has reminded me that staying relevant in finance is not only about mastering a fixed set of rules, but also about staying up to date, continuing to learn, and adapting.
What’s a challenge you’ve had to navigate during the programme that has taught you something about yourself?
One challenge that taught me a lot during the first term was learning how to work effectively in truly diverse teams. Teamwork had always been central to my previous roles, but it usually took place in more structured environments, where roles were clearly defined, expectations were set, and processes were predictable.
At LBS, teamwork looks very different. From day one, you’re assigned to a Study Group, and suddenly, almost everything is done together. At first, it feels a bit like a social experiment: a group of people from different countries, backgrounds, and personalities trying to figure out how to think, decide, and deliver together, often under time pressure.
What makes it both challenging and valuable is that there is no single “right” way to collaborate. Given the diversity of the team and the changing nature of assignments, roles shift constantly. One week you’re leading, the next you’re facilitating, coordinating, or stepping back and listening. With guidance from coaches and exercises such as creating a team agreement, you quickly move into open conversations about how you work, communicate, and handle challenges as a group.
Through this process, I learned something important about myself: I thrive in environments where collaboration and diversity aren’t just present, but actively engaged. In the past, I sometimes found myself in the familiar situation where delegating felt harder than simply doing things myself. What surprised me most was how quickly this team built real trust. Taking the time to understand each other’s working styles made collaboration feel natural and showed me how powerful team dynamics can be when they’re built intentionally.
What is something about you: an interest, habit or value, that your classmates would be surprised to know?
Something my classmates might be surprised to learn about me is that I have a long-standing habit of writing almost every day. Nothing structured or particularly polished, mostly just me talking to myself. It’s an unfiltered collection of whatever thoughts happen to be occupying my head that day, whether it’s a fleeting idea, a quote from a book I enjoyed, or a half-formed question.
Over time, it has become a small routine I intentionally set aside for myself. What started as a simple habit has turned into a growing collection of notebooks that I enjoy revisiting. I already know that one day I’ll enjoy going back to the entries from my time at LBS the most.
Where or what is your favourite hidden gem in London?
One of my favourite recently discovered hidden gems in London is The Nest, a rooftop tucked away in a hotel in Marylebone, about a 25-minute walk from LBS, with impressive 360-degree views of the city skyline.
What I love about it is that it sits right above the chaos around Oxford Circus, but the moment you step inside, the mood completely shifts. The space is filled with plants and has a cosy, relaxed feel, along with a very green outdoor terrace with tables and loungers. If the weather cooperates, or at least doesn’t completely betray you, you can sit outside with winter-friendly heaters and take in views across London.
The food and drinks are excellent, with one small warning: they are unsurprisingly not cheap. This is one of the many places in London where the “sad wallet, happy life” motto comes in handy. Still, even if it’s just for one drink, I think it’s a beautiful place worth visiting at least once.
Where is your go-to place to unwind after a long day of lectures?
After a full day of lectures, my go-to way to unwind is going for a walk with a friend, which has become a weekly ritual. We usually wander through central London until we reach our regular coffee spot on Bond Street, where we grab a table right by the street. It’s the kind of committed routine where, if someone happens to be sitting at our table, you find yourself awkwardly hovering nearby, quietly hoping they’ll leave, and the balance of the universe will be restored.
Sitting there, talking, laughing, and people watching is an easy way for me to switch off. It’s simple, but it has become one of my favourite ways to reset.
Who is someone in the LBS community (student, staff, alumnus) who has quietly influenced you?
When you arrive at LBS, along with all the excitement, there is often a bit of fear that creeps in as well. Conversations about the competitive job market can trigger imposter syndrome and self-doubt, making it easy to fixate on the areas you personally find more challenging, whether that’s technical skills, public speaking, or even communicating in English as a non-native speaker.
Someone who has quietly influenced me is a classmate I once had a conversation with about feeling unsure about public speaking. Not long after that conversation, I saw him actively signing up for public speaking workshops and joining clubs like Toastmasters. That moment stayed with me as a reminder that nobody expects you to have it all figured out, that we are all here because we want to improve, and that progress often starts by simply showing up and trying.
What’s a piece of advice you’d give to yourself pre-MiF?
I would tell myself to explore LBS resources more deeply, much earlier on. At the beginning of the programme, everything moves fast and all at once. Time management can quickly start to feel chaotic, and you may find yourself wondering whether you are doing things “the right way”.
Even with a to-do list in hand and a clear plan, I often found myself second-guessing both the order and the timing. Questions like “Should I already be doing this?” or “Am I behind?” come up quickly, especially once you start comparing yourself to classmates. Some are just beginning to explore their career direction, while others seem to be much further along in the coffee chat marathon.
Although I was already using LBS resources, it was only after taking the time to explore them more thoroughly that I realised how many helpful tools I had initially overlooked. While everyone has their own path and pace, I found incredibly detailed guides that clarified what to expect from different recruitment processes, how to prepare, and how to pace yourself. Taking the time early on to explore these resources would have helped me feel more organised and saved me a few unnecessary second-guessing spirals.