Born and raised in Canada, Daniel Valenzano graduated from the University of Toronto in 2008 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He joined RDP Associates, a boutique Research & Development Consulting firm, where he spent two years helping clients organise, value and benefit from intellectual property.

Daniel decided to do an MFE to develop a foundation in the financial topics that most interested him, and build on the quantitative and analytical background he had acquired during his engineering degree. “I saw the MFE programme at Saïd as the perfect match,” he says. “The core courses would allow me to acquire the theoretical underpinnings behind many important financial and economic concepts, while the range of electives would enable me to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career in finance.”

Oxford University’s international reputation for excellence, its tradition and influential alumni were additional draws. “The Saïd Business School is one of the most dynamic and entrepreneurial business schools in the world, known for its combination of talented students and world-renowned faculty,” says Daniel. The relationships Daniel has made within his MFE class have been the highlight of his year in Oxford. “I have never been part of such a high calibre group,” he says. “The level of cultural and educational diversity within the MFE class is amazing, and being given the chance to interact, work in teams and enjoy free time with my classmates has been undoubtedly the most enriching part of my experience at Oxford.”

On graduation Daniel will be joining UBS in the Investment Banking Department (IBD) in London. “I am looking forward to enjoying my career in Investment Banking for the foreseeable future, with a long-term goal to be a real estate investor.”