On the 12th October, 80 students from across the Mathematics Department attended an alumni panel and networking lunch with representatives from more than 10 different companies and businesses to discuss the question, 'What can you do with an LSE Mathematics Degree?'
Those present heard from LSE Mathematics alumni working at organisations including Accenture, Maquarie Capital, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, Teach First, Citi and RBS. There were also representatives from the following organisations attending the lunch and networking: Morgan Stanley, HSBC, BNP Paribas, Ernst and Young & Deutsche Bank.
The event was a big success, and rewarding for all involved. Below you will find more details of the alumni speakers who attended the event:
Speaker Biographies
Dr Raminder Ruprai: Deloitte / Consultant: ERS Security Practice / Information & Technology Risk
Studied PhD in Mathematics & Cryptography (2010) at RHUL; PG Cert. in Higher Education (2009), MSc Applicable Mathematics (2006), BSc Mathematics & Economics (2005) at LSE
Through studying the BSc in Mathematics and Economics I became interested in the area of Information Security and in particular the field of Cryptography. To pursue this I decided to take the MSc in Applicable Mathematics to build upon my Mathematics foundation. Following this I went to Royal Holloway (the centre of Information Security in the UK) to study a PhD in Mathematics and Cryptography.
Information Security is a growing field and following completion of my thesis I worked as an Information Security Consultant at Detica and then in Deloitte’s Security Practice. I have worked on a number of interesting projects for clients in different industries.
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Lauryn Cunningham: Macquarie Capital / Analyst, Infrastructure Team
Studied Mathematics & Economics at LSE (2010)
Lauryn read Mathematics and Economics at LSE, and graduated with a First Class Honours in 2010. Having completed the LSE City Fast Track at the end of her first year, she successfully secured an internship with Macquarie in 2009 which led onto the offer of a place on Macquarie's 2010 Graduate Programme. She joined the Infrastructure Team with Macquarie Capital, and is currently an Analyst, working on a variety of M&A deals. She chose to go into Investment Banking because of her desire to work in a fast-paced environment that combined analytical work with the requirement for close working relationships with clients and colleagues.
Her mathematical background has helped her in a number of ways. In particular, the logical manner in which problem solving is approached in theoretical and applicable mathematics has given her a solid grounding for every-day problem solving and also financial modelling. Additionally, the economics learnt on her degree has provided her with a good grounding for making sound macro assumptions in valuation and modelling work.
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Ahmad Khokher: Teach First & CMS Cameron McKenna / Trainee
Studied Business & Economics at LSE (2006)
Whilst studying at LSE, I chaired the debate society and enjoyed volunteering at local comprehensive schools. I was initially really interested in a career in Banking. However; when I heard about Teach First it seemed like the natural option for me. I was attracted by the direct responsibility, hands on experience and chance to make a difference.
I worked as a Maths teacher in Highbury Grove school for two years – it was hugely challenging but also very rewarding. Teach First then helped me to gain 3 internships over my Summer holidays – they have numerous links with companies within the FTSE 100 who really value the transferrable skills that you build up on the programme. For example some companies (e.g. Goldman Sachs, PWC and Accenture) will give you a final round interview if you have completed the scheme. I enjoyed working at CMS Cameron McKenna and am now one year into my training contact having worked with corporate finance in London and the M&A team in Bucharest. I am currently sitting with the international private equity team.
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Paul Wheeler: Credit Suisse / Quantitative Strategies
Studied Mathematics at University of Warwick (2002)
When I graduated from Warwick University with an MMath degree in 2002 the city was suffering from the burst of the dot com bubble. Jobs were few and far between and it was difficult to stand out from all the other graduates. In order to get ahead of the rest I decided to do a PhD in mathematics. Fortunately I finished and got a job as a Quantitative Analyst at Citi just before the current crisis. Having moved firm once in the meantime, I am now at Credit Suisse working as a Quantitative Analyst for credit products.
Outside of work, I played water polo at university and enjoy target rifle shooting with my school old boys team.
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Lilian Shen: Capco UK London / Senior Consultant: Capital Markets
Studied MSc Operational Research (2004) and BSc Mathematics & Economics (2003) at LSE; Member of Investment Management Association; PRINCE2 Certified Practitioner
Studying for a MSc & BSc at LSE allowed me to fully explore how mathematical & statistical theories were applied into various industries, it also met a personal goal of mine. The post-graduate dissertation included a 3 month consulting project which gave me my first taste of consulting.
When I started looking for a job, I applied to FS, logistics and government vacancies. I decided to join UBS Operations and completed their 18 month graduate programme as a supervisor in their control function. 12 months on, I moved into Data Services to look after Client Data. 21 months ago, I joined the RBS Asset Protection Scheme to look after the data quality of finance, risk and business data submitted to the HMT. 4 months ago, I joined Capco London as a career move, looking for structured and professional guidance on becoming a more successful PM in servicing the FS industry.
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Caroline-Laure Negre: Goldman Sachs
Studied BSc Mathematics & Economics at LSE (2002). Having completed an internship at Goldman Sachs Caroline went on to a full-time position in a different team and has worked at Goldman Sachs ever since.
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Joseph Abraham
Studied MSc in Financial Mathematics at LSE (2011)
Joseph recently graduated from the School with an MSc in Financial Mathematics this summer. He completed his undergraduate degree in Mathematics at St Stephen’s College, Delhi and interned with Barclays Capital in their Prime Services Risk (Fixed Income) division. He will be joining them full-time in January 2012.