International Graduate Story: Stephen

Posted on: 11 June 2024 by Richard Finch in Graduate stories

Stephen Adenuga is a Class of 2023 MSc Finance graduate who now works as a Credit Risk Analyst at Bank of America.

How did you hear about your role and why or how did you decide to apply for it?           

My journey to my current position has been shaped by a blend of valuable work experiences, a solid educational foundation, and unwavering motivation. Upon completing my Master’s program at the University of Liverpool, I set forth with a clear professional vision and determination to pursue opportunities that aligned with Credit Risk. My first objective was to join a global financial institution, where I could cultivate my technical skills and thrive professionally.

To realize this goal, I made the strategic decision to relocate to London, recognizing the city's opportunities compared to my hometown of Liverpool. After settling in, I compiled a comprehensive list of commercial banks, insurance companies, and asset managers across the UK, tailoring my job search efforts to align with my career aspirations. Furthermore, I expanded my network to include recruiters specializing in these industries, recognizing the effectiveness of leveraging external recruitment channels for experienced hires.

This dual-pronged approach yielded promising results, leading to my first post-graduation interviews with SMBC and Europe Arab Bank Plc, where I received my initial job offer. However, driven by a desire for continued professional growth, I persisted in my pursuit of opportunities with global institutions, ultimately securing an offer with Bank of America.

Throughout this journey, I am profoundly grateful for the support and guidance from mentors and colleagues who have helped shape my perspective on Credit Risk. Furthermore, I extend my gratitude to the University of Liverpool, whose resources and educational offerings have played a pivotal role in broadening my perspective and equipping me with the technical skills required for success in the job market.


How did you get to where you are now?

Working in my previous role, I discovered that my knowledge of finance principles was not up to the standard required. So, I made a plan to get an advanced degree in Finance in the UK. I researched Finance programs from Russell Group universities and the University of Liverpool was quite appealing.           


Your favourite experience as part of your role?

My favourite experience in my role is macroeconomic research. A major part of credit risk assessments is evaluating the macro conditions a counterparty is exposed to. This often involves reading economic papers and studying geopolitical events to make a forward-looking view.


What has been the most challenging part of your graduate journey?

I think securing my first job offer was undeniably the most challenging aspect of my graduate journey. The process of transitioning from academia to the professional world presented some daunting hurdles that tested my resilience. First, the sheer volume of competition in the job market felt overwhelming, with countless qualified candidates vying for limited opportunities. The prolonged uncertainty and frequent rejection emails in the job search process also took a toll on my confidence and self-esteem.

However, rather than succumbing to discouragement, I took the opportunity to ask for feedback after each rejection, refining my applications and enhancing my marketability with each feedback. Ultimately, securing my first job offer required perseverance and an unwavering belief in my abilities, making it the most challenging yet rewarding milestone of my graduate journey.

What are your Top 3 tips for current students and graduates? 

  1. Have a clear vision of where you want to go - create a detailed plan on how to get there. You need to understand what category of the market you fall into - Graduate Hire (No experience) or Experienced Hire. Your approach to job search under these categories is significantly different.

  2. Stick to your plan and be resilient - You will face many challenges during your program and job search, challenges that push you to give up on your vision. You have to weather the storms and remain resilient.

  3. Don't be scared to ask for help - whether that's from your colleagues in the university, LinkedIn network, friends and mentors.