Youssef Intabli

What are you doing now?

Currently, I am the Head of Equities for a company called Coalition Development, which is part of the S&P Group and specializes in research analytics and business intelligence solutions for the financial services sector.

What were you doing before pursuing postgraduate study?

Before coming to City, I studied an undergraduate degree in Economics at the American University of Beirut. At the time, I was considering finding a job in a bank in Lebanon, but my dad pushed me to look at international career opportunities and after some research, I chose to apply to City.

Why did you decide to study a master’s degree?

In my opinion, having a bachelor's degree is not always enough to get you in a position to work for the big companies, which is why I chose to do my master’s degree. The course allowed me to broaden my horizons through real-world case studies, especially the business side, and exposed me to opportunities to work in London or internationally.

Why did you choose to study at City?

As part of a programme at the American University of Beirut, we had representatives from overseas universities, mainly from the US and UK, come to visit us and this is where I first learned about City.

When I further researched the University, I realised how unique the International Business Economics MSc was as it combined the theoretical side of economics with its practical application to the business world. City’s campus being located in London which is a financial hub and well-known for its professional opportunities, made it the best place for me to continue my studies.

How did you find the transition from Lebanon to the UK?

Moving to London and starting a postgraduate degree was a difficult decision, but it was definitely the best decision I’ve made in my life. At the beginning it was a big challenge but at the same time it was super exciting because it was very fast and I got to meet other international students, so I didn’t feel like the odd one out.

Additionally, I was able to meet people with a tremendous amount of culture and professional experience from all over the world which really helped me when I moved here. However, I still felt very close to my family as they were only a flight away.

What did you enjoy most about your course?

The course taught me three main things: theoretical economics and statistics; how to apply a global strategy to a local company; and case studies on mergers and acquisitions.

On the course I was able to understand the differences between what you would be doing in a specific field, such as investment banking, consulting or financial services, and the advantages and disadvantages of each of these. I could get advice from the professors based on their experiences within these areas and use that to inform my future career choices.

All the professors I encountered were approachable, had plenty of experience within the industry, and a teaching style that encouraged students to ask questions. This was very different to how things were done back home in Lebanon and it was a massive help to me, because I was being exposed to so much new knowledge that might not have been available to me otherwise.

One of my professors was using his very own published book in his module, and that was an eye opener to me, as it showed me the plethora of lived experience he had and that we could learn from. I still remember quotes from his book that sometimes I now use with my clients.

The campus was a very fun environment too, I was able to meet other students from different courses at City in places like the cafeteria, which made my experience more varied and not only course-focused.

Did you take part in any activities outside of your course?

After classes, I would often meet up with my coursemates and go to a local pub to socialise; or we would stay on campus and have dinner together in the cafeteria, which offered a selection of international cuisines at affordable prices.

I also played basketball which allowed me to meet so many new people and make friends. Being able to do these activities where I met other international students really made me feel welcome and at home in London, and this is what really made me want to stay here for 11 years.

How has City helped you get to where you are today?

Other than the preparation and industry insights the course gave me, the Careers & Employability team at City was key for me as it provided me with good career orientation, alongside the opportunity to attend careers fairs, speak to someone about my plans, and receive support in preparing for interviews and applications.

During a careers fair at City, I met a Bloomberg representative, which was my very first interaction with a professional in London. Shortly after the fair, I applied for one of their vacancies and was offered a job two months after – I owe part of this success to the Careers Service.

So straight after graduating, I joined Bloomberg working as an analytics specialist in fixed income for the first two years and then moved into on a sales position where I was managing Credit Suisse and UBS accounts in Zurich and Geneva.

After five years, I realised that my learning curve wasn’t going up as much as in the past and that I wanted to progress to a more analytical and strategic role. So, I went on and secured a job at my current company, Coalition Development, where as a Head of Equities I specialise in competitor benchmarking.