Careers in Finance: Combining Academic and Corporate

While still very much attracted to the rewards of teaching, and the “rigor and elegance” of the academic world, Sanzhar explains that he was also keen to get first-hand experience of a corporate career. In 2010 he joined Citigroup as Vice President, Financial Strategy Group, Investment Banking – a role which brings a very different set of challenges, characterized by “all the imperfections of the real world.”

“Issues may be similar but each client is different, and every client meeting is unique,” Sanzhar says. “It’s a very different perspective. In academia you have a ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ answer; here it’s not as clear cut, and I think that makes it more interesting.”

The benefits of spending time in both the academic and corporate spheres are “obvious”, he adds. “In teaching, I can use real life examples, as well as bringing an understanding of what is considered most relevant and is used by companies and senior management. At the same time, having a thorough understanding of issues in corporate finance from a theoretical perspective allows me to challenge accepted wisdom sometimes, and bring more advanced and rigorous tools and methods to client projects.”

He’d certainly encourage others to consider careers in finance that include both academic and corporate roles. While having been generally impressed by the level of continuity between business schools and financial organizations, he points out that it’s still relatively rare to find individuals with experience in both fields.

In addition, he’s in no doubt that spending time studying and working in different countries has been “invaluable”, in all kinds of ways. “I would not have had done what I have done without getting so many different perspectives, both business and cultural, and learning from so many different people. I want to believe it also made me a better person.”

As for the future, Sanzhar has no fixed plan. “I always envy people who can answer this question! Five years from now, I don’t know. I’ll definitely be doing something utilising my knowledge of finance – be it consulting, teaching, banking.” For now, he’s more than happy to remain in London, which offers scope for many different types of careers in finance, though is also open to the idea of one day returning to the US, or perhaps to Canada, where he has family.