Barclays

Name	Youssef Hegazy
Based in	Amsterdam
Job title and business area	Investment Banking Analyst
Year joined Barclays	2025
Year attended the International Banking Cycle	2023

 

Many of you are understandably curious about whether—and how—the International Banking Cycle can help launch your career. Having experienced the event firsthand as a student, and more recently recruitment from the other side of the table, I can confidently say it’s one of the most effective ways to gain a clear understanding of the diverse opportunities within investment banking.

Beyond offering a glimpse into the day-to-day life of an investment banker, the event also provides valuable insight into the distinct cultures across participating banks. While you’ll notice many similarities, it’s often the subtle differences that ultimately influence your decision. For me, that’s exactly what led me to choose Barclays. What stood out was the consistent professionalism, discipline, and enthusiasm shown by Barclays bankers. Regardless of seniority, everyone was approachable and genuinely seemed to enjoy working together. Now that I’m part of the team, I can confidently confirm that those impressions were spot on.

I joined the desk as an intern after completing my MSc in Financial Economics at the Erasmus School of Economics. The four-month internship was fast-paced and highly rewarding, offering me hands-on exposure to both deal origination and live transaction execution. Following a successful internship, I was offered a full-time position and have been working as an Analyst on the team since early 2025.

At Barclays, our team in Amsterdam covers all sectors and products relating to Benelux opportunities. This broad scope ensures that no two days are ever the same. One day, you might be researching a specific industry in the Netherlands for a private equity fund exploring acquisition opportunities; the next, you could be evaluating whether a large-cap strategic should raise debt or equity to finance an upcoming acquisition. It’s this variety of projects that I find especially rewarding, making this role intellectually challenging and providing a steep learning curve.

Working at Barclays allows you to regularly collaborate with sector and product teams based in London and New York, which gives you exposure to the full breadth of the firm. This connectivity with colleagues from all kinds of backgrounds and perspectives is something I truly value and makes me feel part of the wider Barclays network.

If you're eager to explore the world of investment banking and discover where you might thrive, I highly encourage you to apply—you never know where one event might take you.