By Yawei Wang, MiFFT2025
Before joining the Masters in Finance programme at LBS, I worked in Shanghai as an equity analyst covering the consumer discretionary sector. While I appreciated the structure and depth of public market investing, I became increasingly curious about the broader investment universe, particularly private markets and alternative asset classes. I chose LBS because I wanted to challenge myself by stepping outside my area of expertise, gain international exposure, and expand my perspective on how capital is allocated across different strategies. With its global cohort, diverse curriculum, and strong ties to the investment community, LBS offered the perfect environment for that transition.
One of the most impactful courses I took was Distressed Investing, taught by Professors Florin Vasvari and Alon Avner. I entered the class with no prior background in private debt, but the material quickly became some of the most engaging I encountered at LBS. We were given real-world case studies based on deals completed by top private equity firms and explored how investors find opportunities in distressed companies through operational turnarounds and restructuring. What I found particularly challenging and fascinating was the legal process and the negotiation involved with various stakeholders, elements I had never worked with in public equity research. The final group project required us to source a current distressed opportunity and pitch it as an investment idea. That experience pushed me intellectually and practically, and also helped me prepare for an interview for a distressed investing role.
Another course that stood out was Digital Investing with Professor Alastair Lawrence. Coming from a background focused on traditional sectors, I had limited familiarity with technology companies. This course helped me understand how to evaluate digital business models and the specific metrics that matter in platform-based businesses. In addition to the structured lectures, Professor Lawrence also invited industry experts to share their insights on emerging trends and real-world challenges. Those sessions provided access to perspectives that I would not have been able to gain outside the classroom, and they made the course both informative and inspiring.
Looking back on my time at LBS, the Masters in Finance programme has helped me achieve exactly what I hoped it would. I’ve been able to move beyond my original focus in equities, explore new asset classes like private credit and technology investing, and grow more confident in navigating different sectors and strategies. The experience has reshaped the way I think, built up my soft skills, and helped me take meaningful steps toward becoming a more versatile investment professional.
Find out more about the value of the Masters in Finance classroom experience from Hauwa Umaru’s (MiFFT2025) blog: Quiet Lessons that stay with you