Ben's success story: Securing an internship at Greenhill

Ben is a Business and Management student from Durham University. He secured an internship as a M&A Investment Banking Summer Analyst at Greenhill. in London, through Bright Network.  

First, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

“I grew up with a strong interest in both teamwork and problem-solving. I wanted to be a professional rugby player when I was younger, and that experience taught me discipline and resilience.

Going to university felt like the natural next step to challenge myself academically and it gave me the chance to explore subjects I really care about.

I’m motivated to go into finance because I enjoy working in fast-paced, high-pressure environments where I can combine analysis with collaboration to have a real impact.”

What motivated you to apply for your role?

“I applied to Greenhill because I really like the idea of working in small teams where you can learn directly from senior bankers and take on responsibility early.

The focus on M&A advisory really appeals to me and I believe the culture at Greenhill feels more collaborative and entrepreneurial, which is exactly the kind of environment I want to be in.”

What was your application journey like?

“The application journey was actually really positive. I prepared by practising technical questions, keeping up with M&A news and doing mock interviews with friends.

I was most nervous about the assessment centre, but the people I met put me at ease.

Along the way I received helpful feedback to be myself and show genuine enthusiasm, which really boosted my confidence.”

What are you most proud of about your journey?

“I’m most proud of earning top results at Durham while also competing in rugby at a high level. Balancing the two demanded real discipline.

One of my biggest challenges was a serious hamstring injury that took me out of rugby for months. Overcoming it taught me resilience, patience and how to channel setbacks into other areas such as academics and internships.”

What have you learnt from going through the process?

“I learnt how important it is to stay confident and genuine throughout the process. It was actually a bit shorter and more straightforward than I expected and everyone I met was really approachable.

If anything, I wish I’d known earlier how supportive people would be as it would have eased some of my nerves.”

What are your tips for people looking to follow in your footsteps?

“My main tip is to back yourself and get stuck in early. Applications and networking can feel daunting, but you learn by doing.

If I could change anything, I’d have started reaching out to people sooner. The best advice I’ve received is to be authentic because people respond to genuine interest. Resources like LinkedIn have been extremely helpful for connecting with alumni.”

Tell us about the future. What’s next?

“I’m really looking forward to building on the skills I’ve started developing and gaining more exposure to live deals.

I’m most excited about working in fast-paced teams where I can learn directly from experienced bankers and I hope to keep developing both my technical skills and my ability to think strategically about businesses.”