Trojan Investing Playbook

Breaking into Buyside

This week, we sat down with Aditya Vijayanagaram, Incoming Analyst at Ares Management (Direct Lending, LA), to break down how he went straight to the buyside out of undergrad. We cover what private credit actually is, how buyside recruiting differs from banking, what firms look for in candidates, and how to demonstrate an investor mindset in interviews, especially in credit-focused roles where downside analysis is key. If you’re interested in private markets or considering skipping IB for the buyside, this episode is a practical guide to getting started.

Corporate Development 101 w/ Davis Schmitz

This week, we sat down with Davis Schmitz, who began his career in investment banking at Lincoln International and is now Director of FP&A and Corporate Development at Mantis Innovation, to break down what Corporate Development actually looks like in practice.We discussed why he made the transition from IB to in-house M&A, how Corp Dev differs from traditional advisory roles, and what skill sets matter most coming from an investment banking background.If you’re interested in where an IB foundation can take you, especially into strategy-driven, operator-focused roles, this episode offers a clear, practical Corp Dev 101 from someone actively in the seat.

Breaking into Tech IB

We’re joined by Finny Ho (Perella Weinberg Partners) and Lucas Turcuato (Barclays), both Incoming Summer Analysts, to discuss what makes technology investment banking unique - from staying ahead of rapidly evolving tech sectors to how technical you really need to be. They also share a few recruiting blunders and key moments that helped shape their outcomes, offering practical insight for students heading into the next recruiting cycle.

NYC Recruiting with Aarav Sethi

This week, we spoke with Aarav Sethi, an incoming Summer Analyst at Lazard (NYC), about the logistics and timelines behind New York specific recruiting and how it differs from other regions. Aarav also shared his personal recruiting journey and offered practical advice on what sophomores should prioritize going into winter break to stay competitive. 

Breaking into Restructuring

Our guest this week is Leo Kim, a USC senior and Director of Capstone for the Trojan Investing Society, who summered at Houlihan Lokey’s Restructuring Group. Leo shared what makes RX unique, how to approach the recruiting process, and insights from leading Capstone, TIS’s technical training program focused on Excel modeling.

Behaviorals that Stand Out

We sat down with Ishan Tandon, Incoming Analyst at Perella Weinberg Partners, to discuss how to craft standout behavioral stories, approach interviews with confidence, and differentiate beyond technicals.

Breaking into Industrials IB

In this episode, we sat down with Justin Lim (Incoming 2026 Summer Analyst at Perella Weinberg Partners). He shares his experience recruiting Industrials, tips and tricks to have success, and they key technicals that matter most!

Breaking into Healthcare IB

In this episode, we sat down with Jake Hertzman (Incoming Investment Banking Analyst at Centerview), and Luke Finch (Incoming 2026 Summer Analyst at JP Morgan). They share their experience recruiting Healthcare, tips and tricks to have success, and they key technicals that matter most!

Offer Spotlight: Libby Ferencik (Goldman Sachs NYC)

In this episode, we’re joined by Libby Ferencik, Senior Advisor of the Trojan Investing Society, who gives an honest and motivating account of her journey from recruiting to her upcoming full-time role in New York City. Libby walks us through her offer journey, and then takes us into her summer internship in NYC at Goldman Sachs’ in their Leveraged Finance group. She shares how she navigated that experience, what she learned, and how she maximized every opportunity, before revealing her next chapter: returning full time to Goldman Sachs in NYC in the TMT group. If you're navigating the recruiting process, preparing for an internship, or pursuing a career in IB, Libby’s insights deliver real talk, actionable strategy, and true inspiration.

Breaking into Houston IB (Oil & Gas)

In this episode, we sat down with Ford Johnson, COO of the Trojan Investing Society (2026 Summer Analyst at Intrepid Financial Partners), and Jackson Laite (2026 Summer Analyst at Evercore). They share their paths into Houston Oil & Gas IB, recruiting nuances, and the key technical skills that matter most.