Lichao Song (Kyle)
2015 International Economics and Finance MSc graduate Lichao Song is Senior Analyst at Cinda International Securities Limited in Shanghai, China.
Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?
After graduating from Newcastle, I studied a Masters on MSc Metals and Energy Finance in Imperial College London. During this time, I passed the CFAII exam through self-study. Since graduating from Imperial College London, I started my career as a consulting analyst in Frost&Sullivan and my job scope included writing prospectus and conducting commercial due diligence. I have also been involved in 15 industry consulting projects for IPOs on HKEx or other oversea exchanges with focus on TMT where I conducted research, modelling, data validation and drafted the prospectus of the industry overview. I was also responsible for providing industry consulting services to companies in Asia Pacific to seek a new round of financing development such as IPO projects and issuing corporate bonds.
I am now a Senior Analyst at Cinda International Securities.
Is the above what you planned to do before starting University?
Yes it was, I've wanted to work in consulting since before starting University.
What was your favourite thing about your course?
My favourite thing about the course was the amount of collaboration that was needed during group work. I enjoyed the cooperation and engagement with other team members in order to accomplish our tasks. This experience helped shape my professional life and is one of my core values in my work.
How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?
I feel that the increasing development of cutting-edge technologies especially AI, will significantly impact the way of working in the consulting industry as the software would be able to generate reports and fulfill other adminstrative tasks that may have previously been done by employees.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
I hope to be a Partner in a consulting firm, either in my current company or somewhere else. I am also aiming to have a deeper understanding of global primary markets.
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