In this week’s article, Yunjie Chen shares her experiences as a committee member of the Finance Expedition 2024 and what this expedition is all about. The idea behind this expedition is to introduce students to the world of finance in a unique and interactive way, while also providing companies with a platform to discover young talent.
Finance Expedition in Brief
The Finance Expedition is organized by Asset Financials and Asset Econometrics and is specifically designed for students interested in Corporate Finance, Asset Management, and Risk Management. This three-day expedition, including overnight stays, offers challenging business cases, personal stories from professionals, and valuable networking opportunities that can open new doors.
Program Development
In February 2024, we began preparations for the 2024 edition as a committee. After hours of brainstorming sessions, weekly meetings, and a team-building activity, we finalized the program. Everyone within the committee had their own tasks and carried them out diligently.
After the summer, everything accelerated, and registrations started pouring in. Internally, we were busy processing both administrative and promotional tasks. We held college talks, promoted the event online, and personally approached students with details about the expedition. Besides promotion, we also had to arrange transportation and accommodations. Logistically, we chose the Van der Valk Hotel in Breukelen for overnight stays.
The Big Days: Success and Satisfaction
Day 1: Rotterdam – Nerisa
On the first day, we left Tilburg early and headed to Rotterdam, where we were warmly welcomed by investment company Nerisa. We received an extensive presentation about the company and its focus areas. Following that, the students worked on a challenging equity research case, which they later presented to Nerisa professionals. The day ended with a lunch where students could ask questions and network.
Day 2: Utrecht – BDO
The second day featured an in-house day at BDO in Utrecht. In addition to audit services, BDO has an M&A department, which was the focus of the day. Upon arrival, we were greeted warmly and started the day with a presentation about the Corporate Finance and Transaction Services departments. After the presentation, we worked on a financial due diligence case, with the results being discussed in detail. The day concluded with a group lunch, where students once again had the opportunity to ask questions.
Day 3: Amsterdam and Utrecht – Deloitte & Zanders
The third and final day focused on Risk Management. In the morning, we traveled to Amsterdam’s Zuidas district to visit Deloitte. We received an extensive presentation, followed by a challenging case on The Ocean Cleanup. Each group presented their findings at the end. After a group lunch and a tour of the departments, we headed to Utrecht for an in-house day at Zanders.
Zanders, a consultancy specializing in treasury and risk management, welcomed us with an introductory presentation. The group was then split into two: one group worked on a case, while the other participated in a Zanders escape room. After the swap, the day ended with a group dinner, where students had the opportunity to engage in in-depth conversations with Zanders professionals. This marked the end of the Finance Expedition 2024.
Challenges Along the Way
During the organization of the Finance Expedition 2024, planning proved to be a significant challenge. Scheduling meetings with seven committee members is not easy, as everyone has a busy agenda.
One tip that helped me was to schedule the next meeting at the end of each session using a tool like When2meet or LettuceMeet. This saves a lot of communication afterward. Additionally, flexibility is crucial: physical meetings are important for comprehensive agenda points, but shorter meetings are often more efficient online.
What I Learned
Organizing the Finance Expedition taught me valuable skills, such as planning, teamwork, networking, and communication. Additionally, it gave me more insight into my own ambitions within the finance world. It was very fulfilling to organize an event that helps others advance in their careers.
I look back on this experience with pride and am confident that the Finance Expedition 2024 left a lasting impression – both on the students and the participating companies.
Why Joining a Committee Is Worth It
If you get the chance to join a committee, seize it with both hands. It’s an experience that will help you grow both personally and professionally. Organizing this event gave me insights not only into the financial world but also into my own skills and ambitions.
My Experience with Asset Financials
I have been a member of Asset Financials since February 2023. In addition to organizing the finance expedition, I have also been part of the financial business dinner 2023 committee which was a valuable experience as well. I appreciate how Asset Financials bridges the gap between students and companies and fully commits to this goal.
The study association offers both formal and informal activities where you get the chance to meet new people! I highly recommend getting to know the association by signing up for a few events. It’s a valuable experience you don’t want to miss!
