logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2
46m 1s

Member Spotlight | Soliman Abbas

Corporate Finance Institute
About this episode

Soliman Abbas's journey into investment banking is a masterclass in persistence and proactive learning. In this episode of Member Spotlight, the recent University of Bristol graduate and newly minted FMVA holder shares his inspiring story, from being an international student at 17 to landing his dream job.

Soliman's story is proof that an intentional mindset and dedication to skill-building can change your entire career trajectory.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • The crucial steps Soliman took to secure three internships before his second year of university.
  • How he navigated the intense graduate job market, viewing every rejection not as a failure, but as a "redirection" and a valuable learning opportunity.
  • Why an interviewer's recommendation for the FMVA certification was a "game changer" that bridged the gap between academic theory and practical, real-world finance.
  • His secret to a strong work ethic, inspired by football superstars like Mo Salah, and his focus on consistency and mental strength.
  • The reality of working in investment banking and why soft skills like communication and building trust are just as critical as financial modeling.

This episode is a must-watch for anyone on the fence about their next career move or looking for the motivation to take their skills to the next level.

Up next
Nov 20
Corporate Finance Explained | The Financial Strategies of Subscription-Based Businesses
<p>FinPod: Subscription Economics: Mastering LTV, Churn, and Recurring Revenue</p><p>The Subscription Economy has fundamentally reshaped corporate finance, moving the focus from one-time sales to long-term customer relationships. For professionals in FP&amp;A, IR, and Corporate S ... Show More
18m 47s
Nov 18
Corporate Finance Explained | Corporate Tax Strategies
<p>Why do profitable giants like Apple and Amazon report billions in earnings yet often pay surprisingly low effective tax rates (ETR)? On this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on FinPod, we pull back the curtain on corporate tax strategy, focusing on legal optimization and ... Show More
15m 18s
Nov 13
Corporate Finance Explained | How Companies Manage Currency Risk
If you're a company operating globally, foreign exchange (FX) risk is a significant threat that can instantly erode profits and derail strategic forecasts. In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained on Finpod, we unpack how corporate treasury teams manage this constant volati ... Show More
20m 24s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2025
128. The Best Kept Secret About Career Success with Valentina Savelyeva
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2159526/open_sms">Send us a text</a></p><p>In this exciting New Year&apos;s episode, Jen and Kristen kick off 2025 with a fresh perspective on achieving career and personal goals. The hosts are joined by ... Show More
1h 40m
Feb 2025
When Hiring, Emphasize Skills Over Degrees
The best leaders know that a person’s skillset and their willingness to learn are more important than the degree they have. Ginni Rometty, former Chair and CEO of IBM, understands this deeply. She spearheaded a company-wide shift to skills-based hiring and development during her ... Show More
31m 36s
May 2025
Kimberley Dean | Hiring for Culture Fit: The Secret to Long-Term Success
Struggling to stand out in your applications or be confident during interviews? This episode is for you! From overcoming shyness to reshaping hiring processes—Kimberley Dean, Associate Director at Bishop Design, shares her personal and professional evolution in this inspiring cha ... Show More
39m 42s
Apr 2025
You’re Not Lacking Talent — You’re Lacking Strategy: How to Speak, Sell, and Succeed
Most people don’t lack talent—they lack the confidence to use it. In this enriching episode of "Negotiate Anything," host Kwame Christian welcomes Amandeep Thind, a seasoned public speaker and negotiation expert, to share his compelling journey from overcoming personal struggle ... Show More
36m 46s
Feb 2025
187. Experimenting, Failing, and Finding Your Job Fit - Catalyze Your Career
<p><em>Rethink career success by testing, adapting, and staying open to unexpected opportunities.</em></p><p>Career planning isn’t as straightforward as we often assume—but according to <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/dorie-clark/">Dorie Clark</a>, that’s actually a ... Show More
25 m
Jun 2025
Evolving the Internship Experience Into Strategic Hiring with Jenny Hofler of Labcorp
Stepping outside your comfort zone can shape your career in unexpected and rewarding ways. That’s exactly what Jenny Hofler, Director, Early Career Recruiting, Global Talent Acquisition at Labcorp has done — and now she’s building opportunities for early career talent at a global ... Show More
21m 33s
Sep 2024
#310: How Neil Petch Built Virtuzone into the UAE's Leading Company Formation Firm
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang= "EN-GB" style="font-family: Poppins;" xml:lang="EN-GB">What does it take, to become the number one company in your industry? In this episode, Neil Petch – the founder and chairman of Virtuzone – answers this and delive ... Show More
1h 3m
Jun 2025
212. Break It to Make It: Disrupt Your Way to the Perfect Job Fit
<p><em>Career growth starts with stepping outside your comfort zone.</em></p><p>Building a successful career isn’t about following a set path—it’s about knowing when to evolve and embracing change. <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/whitney-johnson/">Whitney Johnson</a> ... Show More
26m 33s
Nov 2024
502: Ex McKinsey and Founder of the LIS on How Interdisciplinary Learning Shapes Tomorrow's Leaders
<p dir="ltr">Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 502, an interview with Ed Fidoe, the founder and CEO of the London Interdisciplinary School (LIS), the first institution in decades to be granted degree-awarding powers from inception in the UK and offers an innovative, interdiscipl ... Show More
55m 54s
Jun 2024
Winning Through Failure with Brendon Burchard
Navigate FAILURE and cultivate GREATNESS with the #1 and #2 Mindset and peak performance coaches IN THE WORLD! With the incredible Brendon Burchard by my side, we're tackling a theme that resonates deeply in both our lives and the journeys of countless others: the art of turning ... Show More
30m 59s