London Connection Q&A: Mark Ozerov

Interview with ICEF BSc graduate Mark Ozerov: why the world economy continues to surprise and the constant demand for new ideas and solutions >>

Peter Quinn from the online magazine of the University of London International Programmes talks to ICEF BSc graduate Mark Ozerov about why the world economy continues to surprise and the constant demand for new ideas and solutions.

 

Tell us a bit about your background and interests.
I have finished my high school in Moscow and was admitted to the International College of Economics and Finance, which enabled me to pursue two degrees simultaneously: the Russian BSc Economics and BSc Economics and Finance from the University of London.

Besides my undergraduate studies, I participated in several business-case competitions with a team of fellow students. Currently, apart from my Masters studies at LSE, I am a basic materials analyst in the LSE Virtual Fund, where we analyse companies and come up with investment ideas. In my spare time I enjoy sightseeing, visiting theatres and galleries, watching movies, as well as playing tennis and piano.

Why did you choose to study with the University of London International Programmes?
I was looking to study for a degree from a world-class UK institution without leaving my home country. There are a number of reasons for that. Firstly, because I believe that UK universities are at the forefront of economic science. Secondly, because English is now the language of economics and finance, I wanted to study for my degree in English. And finally, the opportunity to study for two degrees at the same time and get the most from the Russian and British education systems was also very appealing to me.

I’m sure I made the right choice with the University of London International Programmes. Not only was the quality of teaching materials outstanding, but also the degree is recognised by the leading academic institutions and employers.

What sparked your interest in Economics and Finance?
I think the main factor is that the subject is so dynamic, so live. Financial markets never stand still and so the theory is constantly evolving and developing. I felt that I would never get bored studying economics and finance, as the world economy offers plenty of phenomena to explain and continues to surprise us with new ones. What’s more, the subject combines quantitative models with an understanding of human behaviour and psychology, which I find especially exciting.

What are the particular skills and insights that you gained from taking the BSc Economics and Finance degree?
Indeed, the BSc Economics and Finance programme gave me the fundamental knowledge of economic and financial theory and analytical skills that are so valuable for a career in finance. What is also very important, the programme taught me to take nothing for granted and have a critical, open-minded approach towards knowledge. Having some internship experience in the financial services, I saw that this skill is really sought after. Last, but not least, the ability to learn independently is also an extremely useful skill I obtained studying for the degree.

How did you stay motivated during your studies?
Well, it wasn’t hard to keep motivated given that I really enjoyed what I learned. To make my studying more interesting I followed current affairs and financial markets to see how the theory agrees (or disagrees) with reality. Apart from that, I set a goal to be accepted to one of the world’s top Masters programmes in finance, so high performance in the BSc studies was essential for that.

What does it mean to you to be awarded a scholarship to study MSc Finance and Economics at LSE?
First of all, it is undoubtedly a great honour for me to be selected for such a prestigious award. It is also a proof that the hard work is recognised and appreciated and a great motivation for further achievements.

Is what you learnt on the BSc Economics and Finance degree helping you in your Masters degree?
Definitely. MSc Finance and Economics takes the understanding of the subject to a whole new, deeper level, so having well-grounded knowledge in more basic financial theory is very helpful. Moreover, this Masters programme extensively uses maths and statistics as its language, and I feel fully prepared for that thanks to the quantitative subjects in my BSc programme.

What are your future career plans?
My greatest future plan is to pursue a career in finance. I believe that almost no other industry offers such a dynamic and challenging environment, steep learning curve and opportunity to meet people of such a high calibre. So, I am currently applying for graduate programmes within the leading global financial institutions.

What has been your biggest inspiration?
I have always been inspired by the intellectual challenge and the opportunity to be creative. I think that working in finance provides both – you constantly face the demand for new ideas and new solutions, whether you are advising firms on M&A deals, searching for investment ideas or trading stocks.

The online magazine of the University of London International Programmes >>