Jasmine Peng ’24

Before coming to SOM, I worked on the trading floor at Société Générale in Hong Kong. In my last role with the Equity Derivatives Sales team, I was responsible for covering hedge funds and asset management clients and facilitating trades in derivatives products. 

Working with top traders and portfolio managers inspired me to enroll at Yale SOM to broaden my own knowledge base and pivot into a career in investment. The joint-degree program was perfect because it let me combine the MBA’s comprehensive business education with the rigorous quantitative training of the Asset Management program.

Data science and AI are driving profound changes in how businesses operate and how investment decisions are made. A strong grasp of quantitative approaches is increasingly important today. Rigorous hands-on coding exercises in my coursework have given me a deeper understanding of the principles behind quantitative models, and the fluency I’m developing in programming languages, such as Python, will be invaluable in the ever-changing asset management industry. At SOM, we focus on how to apply theoretical concepts to real-world situations by learning from renowned professors and industry practitioners.

My classmates are some of the brightest and most dedicated individuals I’ve met in the finance field. Whether we’re collaborating on complex coding problems or building financial models, we’re constantly challenging ourselves. But what I appreciate most is the culture of mutual support, both inside and outside the classroom. This network means a lot to me, and I know I’ll keep it close to my heart for years to come.