The probability of success was low. But the effort still had to be made. With some degree of luck,
one opportunity was enough. The outcome came faster than expected.

Undergraduate: Hong Kong Baptist University
Offer: Jefferies Equity Research (Hong Kong)
GPA: Below 3.70 / 4.0

The recruiting environment at my university was not as competitive or structured as at HKU or HKUST. As a result, I did not take recruiting seriously at the beginning.

It wasn’t until I met several friends from HKU that I realized how limited my profile was. I had very little relevant work experience. To address this, I decided to take a gap semester and secured an off-cycle internship in a middle/back-office role at an investment bank.

In late March, I came across Natasha’s content online and learned about PGP. I booked an hourly session with her. The session was highly impactful. We covered everything, from recruiting strategy and positioning, to specific areas I needed to prepare, to a detailed breakdown of different divisions, compensation structures, and career paths. It was clear that I needed structure. I decided to join PGP immediately after the session.

Within two days of joining, I received a detailed preparation schedule. From that point, the process moved quickly. Given the limited timeline, I prepared technical and behavioral interviews in parallel.

Over the course of a little more than a month, I refined my resume, built out my behavioral answers, and covered the full scope of technical fundamentals, although still at a relatively basic level.

At the same time, I was actively applying for roles. According to my mentor, a deeper level of technical preparation would require an additional three to four weeks. As a result, I approached the process with both preparation and applications running simultaneously.

In early May, I received a Superday invitation for a Jefferies Equity Research summer internship. I was extremely nervous. My understanding of valuation and related technical areas was still quite basic. I had not yet covered more advanced material in depth with my mentor.

In the days leading up to the interview, we conducted an intensive five-hour crash session — focusing on resume-based questions, behavioral responses, and key technical areas. The goal was straightforward: Ensure a solid baseline and manage the rest in the room.

Unexpectedly, the interview turned out very differently from what I had anticipated.

There were almost no technical questions. The discussion was almost entirely behavioral. The conversation felt natural. At one point, we were even discussing where I lived in Hong Kong. It was not the direction I had prepared for, but it worked in my favor.

In the end, I received the offer. This was not the outcome I had expected. Going into the process, I had prepared for a difficult recruiting cycle. My mentor had been clear:
“Set expectations correctly, the probability of converting immediately is low.” But the result came quickly.

Looking back, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity and for the support I received throughout the process. I am especially thankful for the moment I discovered PGP, which ultimately set everything in motion.