Saran Kaba landed an investment banking internship with Morgan Stanley in New York through her MBA—here’s how
A top investment bank located among the tumult of Wall Street is a long way from home for Saran Kaba. Born into a West African family, with parents hailing from Guinea and the Ivory Coast, Saran spent most of her childhood in Gabon, a country famed for its rich biodiversity and expansive rainforests.
She moved to the US at the age of 18, where she studied chemical engineering and promptly began a career as a field engineer. But witnessing her company conduct various acquisitions meant Saran grew interested in the role of investment banking.
Her interest piqued, she decided to switch careers.
“It made sense to go back to school to get my MBA so I could have experience that would be useful while recruiting,” she says.
Enrolling in a top MBA program
When choosing an MBA that could help pivot her career, Saran was keen to enroll in a program with a strong track record for helping students achieve their career goals.
She was impressed by the MBA program at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, where 98% of the class of 2022 secured and accepted job offers within three months of graduating and 10% entered investment banking. Emory also boasts small class sizes and a highly diverse student base.
“I valued that small size and the opportunity to be able to interact closely with my teachers. Also, diversity is something I have always valued throughout my career,” she explains.
The location in Atlanta, an affordable and vibrant city with a diverse food scene, was an added bonus: “I’m a big foodie so I was never closed off to that opportunity,” she says.
Life at a top MBA program
After arriving on campus, Saran threw herself into the opportunity to develop her knowledge in areas that are fundamental to investment banking.
With experience limited to a career in engineering, modules covering finance, investment principles, and accounting provided her with essential knowledge. The overall curriculum also helped her develop a holistic business acumen.
With a low student-to-faculty ratio, the Goizueta MBA professors played a large part in her development, she says.
“The professors were very passionate and really open to just sitting down with students who are willing to learn. So that was really helpful.”
The Goizueta IMPACT module—a four-month leadership development program requiring students to work on a strategic consulting project—helped Saran develop her soft skills.
Tasked with solving a key business issue for a partner company, she expanded her ability to problem solve and think critically. Working in a team of diverse individuals from the Goizueta MBA cohort also taught her how to work alongside people who hold differing perspectives.
“These were soft skills we needed—things like problem solving but then also communication skills and interpersonal skills; it all was very useful,” she says. “All these different elements very much made me confident to go into investment banking and just be ready for the job.”
Preparing for a career in investment banking
With a clear idea of her next career step after the MBA, Saran set about doing what she could to increase her exposure to the investment banking industry during various extracurricular opportunities.
She took an active part in the Goizueta Finance Club, where she met other like-minded students. Participants in the club regularly offer support to one another, as well as the opportunity to share connections with professionals working within the sector.
“It was a great support system while recruiting because I didn’t have any finance background and the leadership of the group really mentored us to make sure we were ready to compete during interviews,” Saran explains.
She was also part of The Consortium—a group dedicated to offering fellowships and networking opportunities to help business school students from underrepresented communities. This provided another support network she could rely on during the program.
This extensive support base proved essential in preparing Saran for her next career step.
Landing an investment banking internship with Morgan Stanley
It was during Goizueta MBA networking sessions where Saran was drawn to the prospect of an internship at Morgan Stanley, one of Wall Street’s most prestigious investment banks.
Interacting with alumni working at the company provided insights into the Morgan Stanley culture. She was impressed when they offered support and advice on how to have the best chance of success during recruitment.
Morgan Stanley also offered a unique opportunity to undertake a generalist internship before rotating between various specialist parts of the business. This would give her a chance to further develop her understanding of the industry before making any firm career choices.
“I didn’t know specifically what I wanted to specialize in, so it was a great opportunity for me to rotate,” she says. “You can choose where you’re going to be able to fit, so that was something that drew me to the program.”
During recruitment, Saran was able to utilize the skills and knowledge she’d developed throughout the program while also relying on the preparatory work she’d undertaken with her peers in the finance club.
"Investment banking has very structured recruiting—it's a lot of networking and a lot of technical preparation for interviews—the MBA was useful as it gave us access to those resources."
Ultimately, she says, it was the connections she made throughout her journey that helped her secure the role.
“You have to talk to as many people as possible to get their honest experience, because I think by just going into the industry blindly you will do yourself a disservice.”
Student Reviews
Emory University Goizueta Business School
Excellent institution with valuable resources
In general, Emory University is an excellent institution with valuable resources. The majority of the professors I encountered were outstanding and displayed a genuine concern for their students. Furthermore, Atlanta provides a plethora of opportunities and experiences.
Pleasant weather, campus and professors
Emory enjoys pleasant weather for the most part, with warmth and mild conditions. The only drawback is the spring season, particularly due to the heavy pollen presence. Everything becomes coated in layers of pollen, which can be problematic for allergy sufferers. Fortunately, this pollen season is relatively short-lived. During the spring and fall, the weather can be quite unpredictable, swinging from scorching heat to chilly temperatures. You'll often find students relaxing or studying outdoors on campus with Professors ever ready to attend to students personally.
Outstanding academics
At Emory, the academics are outstanding! It takes a lot of effort and commitment, but the results are well worth it. Teachers are very approachable and like answering inquiries from students. Nobody ever turning away a student that I know of. The campus is beautiful and tidy at Emory, with many places to relax and study.
Academic performance surpassed my expectations
Emory University's academic performance surpassed my expectations. Achieving good grades often requires substantial effort, and the academic rigor varies depending on your chosen major. Nevertheless, I encountered highly knowledgeable professors, well-equipped to teach their respective courses. Emory offers a wide range of subject areas to choose from, providing students with diverse academic opportunities.
Outstanding institution with stunning aesthetics
Emory University is an outstanding institution! The campus boasts stunning aesthetics, the individuals are friendly, and there is an abundance of activities available in the surrounding areas of Atlanta, Georgia. Undoubtedly, my most cherished aspect of Emory was its people. I forged numerous friendships and encountered individuals from diverse backgrounds. Academically, Emory provides a manageable experience. The majority of my professors were excellent, although, as is the case with any university, there may be certain classes or professors that one may not enjoy. Nevertheless, conducting some inquiries and perusing online reviews should provide a fairly accurate insight into what to anticipate in each class.
Professors skilled in interactive discussions
I take great pleasure in the small class sizes and the professors' skill in creating interactive discussions. The professors demonstrate a strong enthusiasm for their subjects, consistently making the course content fascinating. Moreover, I am captivated by the beautiful campus, and its location is equally appealing.
Exceptional faculty members
Emory University takes pride in its exceptional faculty members who are highly educated and committed to utilizing innovative and successful teaching techniques.It is widely recognized for its extensive research endeavors, offering students a wide-ranging knowledge foundation that can be readily applied to a variety of academic disciplines.
Review of Emory university
The Professors are awesome and you get a lot of opportunities to get involved both on and off Campus. The campus is very lovely. The community of people are welcoming, super nice, and entertaining. The dining halls have popular music from throughout the decade playing and the overall atmosphere is super relaxing and enjoyable.
Batch'20
Emory is an amazing campus and a school with a nice social scene. I always wanted to see what it was like living in the states and this made it happen. Loving making new friends, acquaintances and some for life bonds as well as learning new subject every week. Emory is a great choice.
Professors are always enthusiastic
Emory University is simply outstanding. They have excellent academic programmes with a vast selection of engaging courses. The instructors are extremely informed and enthusiastic about their subject matter. Additionally, the student support services are excellent. They have advisors that help you at every stage and offer resources for career counselling, mental health support, and tutoring. Emory genuinely cares about your prosperity and welfare. This university is fascinating and forward-thinking at the same time!
Lending a helping hand
The instructors at Emory University are redefining what it means to be helpful. They support us academically and serve as supporters, mentors, and confidants in addition to being educators. They are always there to provide advice and support, whether it is by remaining after class to address unanswered questions or by getting together for coffee on the weekends to talk about our professional goals. Their commitment to our achievement goes well beyond the school day, demonstrating time and again that students at Memory are people with dreams, not just a name. It's all possibilities when you have instructors like these.
Exceptional mentorship
Emory University is a refuge for both intellectual prowess and individual development. These instructors motivate students in addition to instructing. They go above and above to make sure every student succeeds, offering anything from spontaneous office hours to late-night emails that explain difficult subjects. Their commitment to us doesn't stop in the classroom; they support and encourage us as we overcome both academic and personal obstacles. In addition to being competent, Emory's faculty members have a personal stake in our success, both within and outside the classroom. Emory stands out for the kind of help he provides.
