Hailing from Canada, Tyler Toscani was already making waves as a high-flyer in the finance industry in Hong Kong, one of the world’s premier financial hubs, when he made the pivotal decision to pursue an MBA degree.
Tyler’s career aspirations led him to business school to advance his finance career. He chose to pursue an MBA over a more specialized finance master’s degree, recognizing that many of the world’s leading financial institutions, including giants like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, hire MBA graduates. Moreover, over 40% of prospective business school students aspire to finance positions.
Currently enrolled in the part-time MBA program at City University of Hong Kong (CityU), Tyler is broadening his business acumen while continuing to work in finance, and he can already see how the MBA is positively impacting his career.
Why Opt for an MBA for a Finance Career?
For ambitious professionals aiming for a career in finance, numerous educational paths are available. These include certifications like the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams, master’s degrees in finance or accounting, and specialized degrees in areas such as fintech.
Alternatively, one can choose to pursue an MBA. Unlike more specialized degrees, the standard MBA curriculum offers a holistic view of business. At CityU, the curriculum spans various subjects, ranging from supply chain management and human resources to strategic management and finance.
Tyler recognized that pursuing an MBA alongside his career would not only enhance his financial expertise but also broaden his business knowledge. This dual approach would help him ensure that he had made the right career choice.
“I think it’s really important, especially when you’re young, to taste a lot of different experiences, so for me, this was part of my learning journey,” Tyler emphasizes. “It’s essential to find different areas that you’re passionate about.”
Beyond the MBA curriculum, Tyler saw the complete MBA package as an opportunity to advance his career in the future. He could expand his network by connecting with expert professors, industry leaders, classmates from around the world, and various business organizations. Furthermore, having an MBA would serve as a valuable differentiator when applying for future job opportunities.
“I felt it was a good avenue to learn more, and it looks great on my resume,” he notes. “I could also meet people in the financial field and other industries.”
Why Pursue an MBA in Finance in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong stands out as one of the world’s top financial hubs, ranking third in the latest Global Financial Centers Index. It hosts a multitude of leading financial institutions, from prominent US banks like JP Morgan and Citibank to Asian giants like Bank of China and HSBC.
“Hong Kong is unquestionably the place to be for finance students,” Tyler explains. “I was definitely attracted here as a global financial hub.”
The city is also a hotbed of innovation and entrepreneurship, home to Cyberport, a community of digital innovators that includes over 380 fintech startups.
CityU leverages its location in this dynamic business environment by offering MBA students the option to focus on finance and data analytics through elective modules. Additionally, students can gain practical experience through nine credits of various experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, project workshops, and consulting projects with host companies.
The school’s SHARP Forum, which features guest lectures and advice from industry leaders and experts, provides students with valuable connections and insights. Elective courses like Practical Fintech Applications have given Tyler a deep understanding of various finance-related topics, from venture capitalists to fintech startups and their funding strategies.
Accelerating a Finance Career with an MBA
When Tyler joined CityU, his career was already on an upward trajectory. He had previously worked with the Royal Bank of Canada and had become the Vice President of a small Hong Kong securities firm. Midway through his MBA, he transitioned to an Assistant Management role at Haitong International Securities, where he focused on trading, his true passion.
“The CityU MBA has helped me achieve my goal of becoming a portfolio manager,” he says. “The constant challenge of the markets, where you think you know something but then suddenly you could lose some money through a bad trade, that’s what really excites me.”
Tyler is one of many CityU MBA graduates who have used the program to enhance their financial careers. Prominent recruiters from CityU include Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Standard Chartered Bank, Citi, and KPMG.
Tyler has also benefited from the program without incurring substantial costs. His employer partly funded his tuition through CityU’s MBA Corporate Outreach Program, one of several sponsorship and scholarship programs available to students.
Now on the cusp of graduating from the CityU MBA later this year, Tyler is eagerly looking ahead to the future.
“I’ve really been lucky enough to find what I love doing and what I’m interested in, just by tasting different things in the MBA,” he says. “It’s a good foundation that makes sense for a lot of finance students or people who want to work in finance.”
Tyler Toscani’s journey exemplifies how the right combination of education, location, and determination can pave the way for a fulfilling and successful career in the world of finance, ultimately transforming aspirations into achievements.
