A week had passed since the nerve-racking interview at Meridian Investment, and the anticipation had become a constant hum beneath the surface of my daily routine. My emails were checked incessantly, my heart skipping a beat every time the notification bell chimed.
Then, on a Wednesday morning, it happened – the subject line that brought both relief and excitement: “Congratulations, Michael Smith, Welcome to Meridian Investment?”
I couldn’t believe my eyes as I read through the formal letter of acceptance. Meridian Investment, the name I had admired from a distance, had opened its doors to me. It wasn’t just a job offer; it was an entry ticket to the world of high finance, where I could make decisions that shape markets (how naïve I was back then).
The following Monday marked the beginning of my journey into the heart of Meridian Investment. The lobby, which was once a daunting space, now felt like a gateway to endless possibilities. The receptionist greeted me with a warm smile, recognizing me from my previous visit.
“Good morning. The rest of your training program colleagues are waiting on the 25th floor.”
The elevator ride seemed faster this time, or perhaps it was the anticipation that made time a blur. A man I didn’t recognize from my interview (but would later find out that he was a junior analyst in the equity department) greeted me once the elevator doors opened with a firm handshake.
“Congratulations! We’re thrilled to have you on board,” he said, gripping my hand harder as he spoke.
“Thank you, I’m excited to be here,” I replied, excluding the part where I was more exited to pull away from his aggressive handshake.
The man handed me a sleek, navy-blue folder embossed with the Meridian logo. “Inside, you’ll find your schedule for the training program, some introductory materials, and a keycard for access to the building. Take a moment to familiarize yourself. The training is intensive, but it’s designed to prepare you for the dynamic world of investment banking.”
I nodded my gratitude and delved into the materials as the week’s agenda was outlined to me.
As I took my seat in the conference room, I looked around at the others around me. I wasn’t here to make friends but it’s always good to scope the competition. After all, I knew that we were all vying for a spot in the top departments of the firm, so it was vital that I had an edge. The sea of ivy league graduates and rich kids that were present in the interviewing process were here again. I knew they were smarter than me, I just needed to work harder than them.
The training program was a structured immersion into Meridian’s culture, values, and methodologies. The first day began with introductions to key personnel, from senior executives to department heads. The names and faces that had once been distant figures on the company website were now my colleagues, mentors, and in some cases, idols.
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Each day brought a new facet of the financial world into focus. We delved into case studies, financial modelling exercises, and simulated market scenarios. The walls of the conference room became our classroom, the hum of ideas and discussions echoing the pulse of the financial district that surrounded us.
The training wasn’t always confined to the four walls of the conference room. We were exposed to the real dynamics of the financial market through site visits and even a trading floor experience. The fast-paced energy was infectious, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of purpose in the chaos.
Amidst the technicalities of financial analysis and market trends, there was an emphasis on Meridian’s commitment to the ethical practices and social responsibility. The executives stressed the importance of making informed decisions that not only benefited the clients but also contributed to the greater good. It wasn’t just about numbers; it was about impact. As I would later learn, this rhetoric wasn’t shared amongst the traders in the bond department. Somewhere along the line, the focus on ethical practices and contributing to the greater good got lost in the weeds in favour of a bid daddy pay day.
One of the highlights of the training program was a mentoring session with Mr. Faye, the Managing Director of Investments – the same executive who had grilled me during my interview. He shared insights from his own journey, emphasising the value of perseverance and continuous learning in the ever-evolving financial landscape.
His final statement sat deep in my mind as I prepared to embark on my banking journey. “What sets Meridian apart is not just our financial acumen but our unwavering commitment to integrity. As you begin your journey, remember that your decisions have far-reaching consequences. Make them wisely, and always strive for excellence.”
As the training program approached its conclusion, there was a palpable sense of transformation among the trainees. We were no longer individuals learning in isolation; we had become a cohort, united by a common goal. To become the best bankers wall street had seen. Many of us were about to be proven wrong.
The final day of training concluded with the allocation of trainees to the different departments amongst the firm. I held my breathe as I watched the executives’ placing names on the different segments of the whiteboard. I scoured the board for my name. I finally find it and nervously look at the information surrounding it. It read “Michael Smith – Analyst.” I let out a small sigh. I clearly didn’t show enough potential to be a trader, but I can live with being an analyst. I would find out later that this was a dream scenario. I steady myself as my eyes worked up the board to see what segment I was placed in. “Bond department,” it read as I tried my hardest to contain my glee. “You beauty,” I whispered under my breath. The best department in the opinions of all the smartest minds in the training program was bonds and now its mine.
Over the course of the week, I had managed to strike a bond with a manager in the junk bond department. Lisa and I began discussing all things life and finance during my breaks in the training program and she must have put in a good word for me to the executives. I felt an overwhelming need to prove that her faith in me was not misplaced.
After taking everything in, I felt someone touch my shoulder. It was Mr. Faye who shook my hand.
“Michael, welcome to Meridian. We look forward to following your progress in the bond department,” he says with a smile on his face that didn’t quite match my teethy grin.
As the evening unfolded, I couldn’t help but reflect on the whirlwind of the past week. The glass doors of Meridian Investment Tower, once an imposing barrier, had opened to reveal a realm of possibilities. I was no longer an outsider looking in; I was part of the intricate tapestry of the financial world, ready to contribute my thread to the story of success that unfolded within the towering walls of meridian.