What It Really Takes to Land a Finance Role

Episode 27 | September 15, 2025

Breaking into finance is competitive, and for students aspiring to investment banking or private equity, the process often feels overwhelming. In Episode 27 of the Coffee Chat podcast, Adventis host Ben sat down with Kaushal, a student at Indiana University, to talk about his journey and the lessons he has learned while preparing for a career in finance.

Starting with the Fundamentals

Kaushal shared how his early experiences helped him find his passion:

“Throughout high school, I was a part of a special business program where I got to learn a lot of different aspects of business… I finally landed on finance and really figured out that it was something I was interested in.”

That interest led him to Indiana University, a school with one of the strongest finance programs in the country, and eventually to an internship at a small private equity firm.

Learning from the Ground Up

Internships rarely start with glamour. Kaushal’s first responsibilities were rooted in what many call “grunt work”, origination and sourcing:

“I was given a big Excel sheet with a lot of names and told to go on Apollo to put their names down, put the company names down, and find as many contacts that we could actually reach out to for potential M&A activity.”

Though repetitive, Kaushal recognized that this work was foundational. It taught him how essential detail-oriented research is in generating deal flow. When his outreach yielded a 3% response rate, above industry expectations, it demonstrated that persistence pays off.

The Power of Networking

While technical skills are crucial, Kaushal admitted that he underestimated the importance of networking early on:

“I had put a lot of emphasis on technical skills but didn’t really understand how important networking is… That’s something I’m working on right now.”

He described both successes, like using a case competition win as leverage to connect with peers, and setbacks, such as a coffee chat where small typos in his outreach email were quickly noticed.

Ben emphasized that these experiences are invaluable:

“Feedback is a gift. It might sting at first, but getting that sting is what makes you better if your goal is to land a job in banking.”

Attention to Detail Matters

In finance, small errors can have large consequences. A misspelled company name in an email may be enough to end a candidacy. As Ben noted:

“These are million-dollar-plus fees… If an analyst is misspelling names, your company’s brand is tarnished.”

For aspiring professionals, attention to detail signals readiness for high-stakes work.

Focus on the Present, Excel in the Basics

Another takeaway from the conversation was the importance of focusing on the job at hand rather than only looking ahead to promotions.

“The bigger picture answer to how you move forward is to crush the job you have today,” Ben advised. “Focus on what you can control, make your boss’s life easier, and help your team succeed.”

That means submitting timesheets on time, learning internal tools thoroughly, and consistently asking, How can I help?

A Path Forward

Kaushal’s journey illustrates the blend of technical preparation, networking, and mindset required to succeed. For students aiming at competitive finance roles, the lesson is clear: master the fundamentals, seek feedback, build authentic connections, and deliver consistently.

As Ben closed the conversation:

“When you combine technical skills, a strong work ethic, and a positive, professional presence, you set yourself apart in the right ways.”