I have a very diverse background. Born in Shanghai, China, I moved to the United States when I was 8 years old. I finished high school in Philadelphia and then attended the University of Chicago. I actually graduated with a degree in Biology, but during my second year as an undergrad, my interest in economics ruled over all my other interests.

After graduating, I worked for five years as a fixed income portfolio manager on the buy-side in Chicago. When it was time for the next step, I decided to enroll in the Columbia University MBA program. Soon after completing my MBA, I joined Deutsche Bank. Needless to say, I thought I brought a lot of experience to DB. I quickly realized there was so much to learn, not only about the world of finance, but from all of the other people in my Associate Program, who also had come from various backgrounds.

In Global Banking, everything’s constantly changing on an industry-to-industry basis. Add the force of the Asian markets (where I work), and you have even more evolution. This makes constant learning and constant development a professional necessity.

I started off at DB as an Associate Intern. This fully exposed me to our Global Banking environment. I must say, my decision to work at DB full-time was swayed by this internship. Due to rapid changes, China was on the brink of exciting times. Everyone sensed it. As a Chinese American, I wanted to be part of this change. And because DB boasts such a strong presence in Asia, I knew I could be part of this story here.

The Associate Training Program kicked off with our global induction in London. I met my class of new Analysts and Associates from every background and region. I began to appreciate the full view of what’s out there in the markets. Soon after the global induction was complete, I made my way to Hong Kong!

At the end of the Associate Training Program, I settled into the TMT (Tech, Media and Telecom) Group to begin my full-time position. In my work, I cover five vertical industries from semiconductors all the way to IT. I speak to offices around the world, with major emphasis on the San Francisco office. I also travel to so many different countries, including Korea, Singapore and China. This helps me see how clients are facing changes and challenges firsthand.

As an Associate in investment banking, my exact role is not so easily pinned down. To put it simply, I wear many different hats. Some days I am a research analyst, learning about the ins and outs of an industry or company. Some days I am a "number cruncher", analyzing a company's financials and modeling potential opportunities or scenarios for its businesses. Other days I am like an air traffic controller, coordinating the actions of various parties to make sure that everyone is kept in the loop and our deadlines are met. Further still, on other days, I am a consultant, giving advice to and answering questions from clients and colleagues. And finally, I also act as a mentor to analysts working with me on different projects. But overall, I think the most important role I have as an investment banker, even after many years of schooling, is to continue to be a student, trying to absorb and pick up as much as I can.

Day-to-day, I find my biggest challenge is being able to communicate articulately in Mandarin Chinese. While working at DB, I’ve learned that effective communication with clients and colleagues is of the utmost importance. For this reason, I’m constantly working to improve my Mandarin through both conversation and self-study.

Outside of work, my favorite way to spend time is a quiet night at home with family or friends. I’ll call friends over to watch a movie or game, grab a drink or chat. Occasionally, I’ve also been known to host a poker tournament.

I travel as much as possible. That’s why, not so coincidentally, my favorite sport is snowboarding. It has a strong physical element. It’s an activity that really and truly takes you places. When I lived in Chicago, I was always a short flight away from some of the best mountain skiing in the world. I brought all my gear when I moved to Asia and really look forward to the winters.

Due to various occupations and career paths, my friends are scattered all around the globe. My snowboarding trips hold a special place because they provide us with our only chance to maintain these relationships. We try to visit a different mountain each time, giving us the opportunity to travel to different regions.