Student Perspectives: A Financial Crime Specialist’s Take on Networking

-

MS Finance ‘23 alum, Igor Klepikov, shared with the GCMC how he joined Linklaters as a Financial Crime Specialist and his thoughts on the importance of networking.


My journey with Linklaters began back in Warsaw, Poland, where I joined the firm as a Financial Crime Specialist. 

 

Coming from Ukraine, I completed my first Master’s Degree in Business at Vistula University in Warsaw and gained seven years of work experience in the financial industry at global multinational corporations such as CBRE (commercial real estate services and investment firm) and TMF Group (financial and legal administration). 

 

Having gained valuable financial experience, along with my growing interest in Anti Money Laundering and Legal Compliance, I secured a position at Linklaters - a leading global law firm, headquartered in London, part of “The Magic Circle” ("The Magic Circle" is a term describing the five most prestigious London-headquartered multinational law firms. The term was coined by legal reporters in the 1990s[1] and is generally considered to include the following five law firms: Allen & Overy; Clifford Chance; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Linklaters; and Slaughter and May). 

 

Therefore, when I moved to the U.S. in 2021, I already had business relationships with Linklaters that allowed me to join their New York team, where I work now as a part of Legal & Risk. My day-to-day includes conflict clearances for complex matters as the global practice ranges from Capital Markets, Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity to Banking, Investment Management, and of course, Litigations. 

 

One of the scopes of work that I am particularly passionate about is Financial Crime, in which one of the key challenges is to “marry” the UK and EU AML regulations (UK AML Regulations, FCA Guide, LSAG, MLDs, FATAF) with the US AML legislation (US Patriot Act, Bank Secrecy Act, FINRA and FinCEN) when it comes to onboarding and conducting business with the multitude of corporate clients in different jurisdictions. 

 

The key advice to successful networking in such organizations is substance. Just like with learning languages, learning only words will not take you far without drilling down some boring grammar. Same here - you have to know the topic, not only corporate lingo. But it is also a process. Hence, a positive attitude, genuine curiosity, and willingness to make a first step will be good starting points. 

 

Also, it might be corny to hear this from a person who is on the slightly extreme edge of being extraverted, DO engage in small talks. If you’re just starting to put yourself out there, do tell the people you network with about your college, about your degree, about your favorite class. Whether you’re at Baruch, Brooklyn, Hunter, or any of the 25 colleges of CUNY, you have a massive reason to be proud. 

 

Besides, employers are taking notes about what you’re saying about your school because one day you will be walking down their halls. It will matter what you say about them. 

 

For everyone who is experiencing difficulty in finding an internship, I’d advise you to keep on making connections and don’t stop. Super important - make a LinkedIn profile! 

 

I’m always open for contact and happy to help where I can, therefore, don’t be shy and drop me a line here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/igor-klepikov-588275a7 

 

Kind regards, 

Igor Klepikov 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Zicklin Graduate Student Shares Her Thoughts on ESG After Winning CohnReznick’s 2023 Gamechanger in ESG Awards

-
Image
Komal Khandelwal recently graduated from the Zicklin School of Business with a master's in finance . She was also an intern for Asp en Power, a solar energy company.   In early 2023, Komal Khandelwal received an email from the school about a program called CohnReznick’s Gamechanger in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Awards which, as stated on the program’s website, “recognizes U.S.-based organizations that are embracing environmental, social, and governance principles to drive value for their stakeholders and improve business resiliency.” The winners of the 2023 awards incl ude for-profit companies like Anterix and EDP Renewables North America, as well as non-profit companies like Eden Housing and Rethink Food.    The program also grants the NextGen Award to only one student who demonstrates a zeal for ESG and who plans to pursue a career in the field. The 2023 winner of this award was none other than our very own Zicklin Graduate student, Komal . In addition to re
Read more

Student Perspectives: Crossing the Bridge That May Land You a Job

-
Image
  MS Finance ‘24 student, Taweepan Panyasantisuk, shared with the GCMC how being enthusiastic, networking, and making self-improvements led to and enhanced his internship experience. What has been one of the most important things you’ve learned at your internship? One of the most important things I have learned at my internship is to be enthusiastic. It is invaluable, especially when you are an intern. I discovered that I could learn fast and enjoy learning when I am enthusiastic and open to learning new skills, ask for more work, and ask questions. This attitude shows that you enjoy being part of the team and that you are keen to help. Having curiosity and enthusiasm also means that you get a lot out of what you are doing, which opens a lot of opportunities. How have you approached networking at your internship? Share any one specific example that has been impactful for you. Since my undergraduate years at Baruch, I learned the importance of networking. Attending many networking sess
Read more

Student Perspectives: Making the Most of a Summer Internship

-
MS Finance, Economics, and Financial Statement Analysis ‘24 student, Mrudula Satish Wagle, shared with the GCMC how she made the most of her summer internship, leading to a full time offer and a decision to pursue further education in finance. Agility is one of the most important things I have learned at my job. Adapting quickly and effectively to changing circumstances has been crucial in meeting the demands of a fast-paced work environment. This skill has allowed me to remain flexible and proactive in finding solutions, ultimately enhancing productivity and achieving optimal outcomes. Additionally, agility has enabled me to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and successfully navigate through various assignments. Networking at work is crucial for individual growth and career advancement. As a Summer Intern, I had the opportunity to build relationships with my colleagues, who were friendly and supportive. Constant interactions with them allowed me to understand various roles an
Read more

Student Perspectives: Being a Power Business Intelligence Engineer

-
MS Information Systems, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance '23 student Palak Wadel shared with the GCMC about her work as a Power BI Engineer at Wolfspeed, a semiconductor manufacturing company. What has been one of the most important things you've learned at your internship? One of the key lessons from my Wolfspeed internship is the vital importance of seamless data integration, particularly between SAP and Snowflake, and staying at the forefront of cybersecurity. My role in developing reports emphasized the practicality of integrating data sources for real-time decision- making. Additionally, engagement with the daily threat intelligence team exposed me to state-of-the-art cybersecurity tools like Sentinel and Defender, underscoring the significance of merging theoretical knowledge with practical cybersecurity applications. This experience has reinforced the need for a holistic approach to business intelligence and data security in today's digital landscape. How hav
Read more

Best Practices: Writing a Resume

-
Image
Your Resume: A Quick 2 min. Guide Our GCMC advisor Annie Himmelsbach walks you through how to write a well-crafted resume by discussing how to divide your sections, how to self-evaluate your goals and what to include (and exclude!) in each section. Note: Both active Zicklin Graduate students, and Zicklin Alumni are always welcome (lifetime courtesy!) to schedule an appointment at GCMC when they need assistance in writing, or to review and discuss further improvement on their resume (or career development). Call us at +1 646 312 1330 For more information on the GCMC visit: http://zicklin.baruch.cuny.edu/careers/
Read more