Henry’s interest in finance began with early exposure through his family, but it was not until college that he found a clear direction. As a student in the Honors College at the University of South Carolina, he explored different areas within finance before discovering investment banking through campus involvement.

“I realized that this is something I want to pursue,” Henry shared after hearing an investment banker speak about the traits of a successful analyst.

That moment set him on a focused path toward high finance. Through persistence, technical preparation, and hands-on learning, Henry ultimately secured a Summer 2027 Asset Finance and Securitization role at BNP Paribas in New York. A key part of that preparation came through Adventis.

Student Success Story: Building Technical Skills Early

Henry first encountered Adventis through emails from a campus organization promoting an in-person boot camp. Initially, he passed on the opportunity, but as he progressed into his sophomore year, his mindset shifted.

“I realized that if I wanted to go into investment banking, this was definitely something I needed to do,” he said.

He enrolled in the Financial Modeling Certification® (FMC®) Program and attended the in-person boot camp, where he was introduced to financial modeling through a structured, hands-on approach.

Through the FMC® Program, Henry developed a strong foundation in Excel and financial modeling.

“What stood out most was gaining real familiarity with Excel, especially keystrokes and macros, which I had no prior exposure to before.”

Beyond Excel, the program helped him understand valuation methods and how financial statements connect in practice.

Translating Preparation Into Interview Success

Henry included Adventis on his resume and found that it directly supported his performance in technical interviews, even when it was not explicitly discussed.

“I was asked questions that Adventis definitely helped me prepare for. In one interview, I was even asked for the Excel keystroke to switch between pages, something I knew because of Adventis. That familiarity with shortcuts and modeling concepts made a real difference.”

The FMC® Program also helped him tackle common technical questions with confidence.

“Being able to see how everything flows through the statements really helped me visualize what’s happening.”

For Henry, this ability to connect concepts across the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement became a major advantage.

Navigating a Competitive Recruiting Process

Coming from a non-target school, Henry understood that breaking into investment banking would require persistence and resilience.

“You don’t get many chances,” he said. “You really have to capitalize on each interview.”

He described the recruiting process as both challenging and rewarding, with moments of rejection balanced by growth and eventual success.

“It’s not easy,” he noted. “It’s painful at times, but also rewarding.”

Through it all, Adventis provided a consistent technical foundation that helped him stay prepared and competitive.

Advice for Future Students

Henry encourages students to invest early in technical preparation, especially if they do not have access to finance coursework.

“The FMC® Program is going to help a lot with financial modeling and technical interviews,” he said. “It gives you a strong foundation.”

He also emphasized the importance of understanding concepts visually and practically, not just memorizing definitions.

“If you can actually build the model and see how it flows, it makes everything much easier to understand.”

A Strong Foundation for the Future

For Henry, Adventis played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. By building technical skills early, he was able to approach recruiting with confidence and ultimately secure a role at BNP Paribas.

His journey reflects a simple but powerful message for aspiring finance professionals.

“You never know what you might be asked,” he said. “And being prepared makes all the difference.”