Laila Zein was a Finance major with a Business Analytics minor at Hult London. When she felt unsure about which internship to pursue, she leaned into Hult’s support network. By Spring 2025, she was attending Bloomberg’s Insight Week in London—gaining first-hand exposure to analytics, sales, and client solutions at one of the world’s most influential financial institutions. 

We caught up with Laila to discuss how she found the experience, how Hult prepared her to succeed, and the lessons she took away from the opportunity.  

Q: What led you to attend Bloomberg’s Insight Week and how did you find it? 

Laila: I always knew I wanted to work in finance, but I wasn’t sure exactly which area. During my winter break in Egypt, I felt overwhelmed by the options. I booked a meeting with my career advisor, Tracey Stemarthe, who was amazing. She walked me through my CV and LinkedIn, gave me tips, and helped me narrow my focus.

She encouraged me to look at opportunities posted directly by the Hult Careers team on Handshake. That’s how I found Bloomberg’s Insight Week and decided to apply, even though I didn’t know what to expect. Soon after, I heard back and booked more meetings with Tracey before each step of the process. It really boosted my confidence. 

Q: How did it feel when you found out you’d been accepted? 

Laila: I had to read the email several times to believe it! It was such a great feeling because you don’t always realize that the hard work you’re putting in will pay off. My first call was to my parents, then to Tracey to tell her the good news. 

Bloomberg’s recruitment team was also fantastic. They hosted onboarding calls and connected us with other attendees before the week began, so I already felt welcomed.  

Q: How did the Hult curriculum help prepare you for the experience? 

Laila: The timing was perfect. While attending the Insight Week, I was also taking Finance B (Investment Banking & Asset Management)—my favourite module so far. We were managing a $1 million USD portfolio in a five-week simulation, right as major real-world events, like the Trump tariffs, were happening. 

This meant that when I spoke to professionals at Bloomberg, I could bring that experience into our conversations. I also had to deliver a presentation during the week with a team I’d just met, something I wouldn’t have been confident doing before Hult. All the presentations and group work at Hult gave me that confidence.  

Q: What was the most challenging part of the week? 

Laila: The days were long—8:00 am to 7:00 or 8:00 pm—with lots of sessions, networking events, and presentations. It was easy to lose focus. I reminded myself daily why I was there, kept notes of everything, and balanced networking with actually learning about the company. That helped me get the most out of the experience. 

Q: Was there a particular moment you felt proud or accomplished? 

Laila: Definitely during the group presentation. I didn’t expect my group to stand out, but we did, and the recruiters gave me really positive feedback on my presentation skills. That felt like a turning point because I’venever been naturally confident presenting. Over two years at Hult, my skills improved without me even realizing it. 

Another highlight was when a fellow attendee thanked me for helping him find the confidence to speak up during the presentation. It reminded me that this experience wasn’t just about me—it was also about making a positive impact on others. 

Q: What advice would you give to other Hult students looking for internships? 

Laila: 

  • Use the careers team early. You don’t have to know exactly what you want—they’ll help you figure it out. 
  • Prepare thoroughly. Research the role, find people on LinkedIn who’ve done it, and learn from their posts. 
  • Don’t let nerves hold you back. It’s normal to be nervous in the first days of a new environment, but the sooner you relax, the better you’ll perform. 
  • Check MyHult Careers and Handshake regularly. You never know what opportunity might appear. 

 

Laila’s story shows how preparation, persistence, and support can transform uncertainty into confidence. At Hult, we’re proud to see students like her step into the world’s top companies with skill and self-belief.