Faith graduated in 2017 with minors in Finance and French.
Faith is from Hong Kong, and she studied abroad in Copenhagen and Paris (through Baruch) and in Tel Aviv while doing her Masters.
Faith did her MS in Copenhagen Business School in Finance and Strategic Management. She is currently an Investment Manager at IFU in Denmark.
Faith’s Current Role
Currently, I work at IFU, a Danish development financial institution, where we mobilize public and private capital in challenging markets to create the greatest impacts on long-term social, economic, and environmental development. We look at countries that need access to renewable energy, healthcare, and other areas, and invest in them in a manner that is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. In my role, I work in the renewable energy sector evaluating solar/wind projects, conducting financial modeling, and preparing internal presentations to secure investment approvals. My job involves heavy analysis of companies and potential projects, and it’s very relevant to the credit-risk analysis work I did in Hong Kong.
Faith on Differences in Work Culture (NY vs Denmark)
People in Denmark are very direct, and communication doesn’t have as many layers. There is a chain of command, but in general, you work more openly with people. You can just walk into a director’s office, which isn’t as common in the U.S. or Hong Kong, where you often have to go through several people, making the process more complicated and time-consuming.
Faith on Essential Skills
Technical skills are essential to understand the business. For example, in renewable energy, you need to know the fundamentals of renewable energy projects (i.e. conversion of different power units (i.e. kilowatts to megawatts) and tariff), and various financing mechanisms (debt/ equity financing). Stakeholder management is equally important.
Faith’s Study Abroad Experiences
I managed to do two exchange programs through Baruch. The first was in Copenhagen, where I eventually did my master’s degree seven years later. The other program was in Paris, where I focused on improving my French proficiency. I returned to Copenhagen because the quality of education was excellent and very different from the U.S. system. Attendance wasn’t mandatory, but the final exam determined the entire grade. This system required self-discipline to stay on track throughout the semester, as there were no checkpoints like in the U.S., where grades are spread across multiple tests. I also discovered how significant consultancy was there. Unlike New York, where many students aim for investment banking internships, in Denmark, consultancy—like BCG and Bain—is very prominent.
Faith’s Advice
Be brave and step out of your comfort zone. Don’t feel obligated to stay in one place just because it feels comfortable. I’ve managed to explore different opportunities and environments because I was willing to take risks. For example, networking has played a huge role in my career—connecting with people from diverse backgrounds has taken me further than I would have gone otherwise.
When studying abroad, I’d also encourage students to avoid only hanging out with people from their own background. For example, when I was in Paris, I actively interacted with French people. Forcing yourself into unfamiliar environments is rewarding and a powerful way to grow both personally and professionally.