Valeria Paredes

Pre-MS Job Title and Company:

Investment Banking Analyst, McIntyre Capital Partners

Post-CBS Goals:

Continue developing my career in investment banking

CBS Activities or Clubs:

Career Representative (MS Program Board), Member: Investment Banking Club, Private Equity Club, Restructuring & Distressed Investing Group, CSIMA, Latin American Business Association, Wine Society)

Favorite NYC Activities:

I love experiencing New York’s mix of culture and business, whether it’s trying new restaurants, seeing a Broadway show, or attending events that make the city such a great place to live and study

Fun Fact about yourself:

I have a twin sister!

What drew you to pursue a Master of Science degree at Columbia Business School?

I always knew I wanted to pursue a graduate degree, and after college I realized that strengthening my technical skill set would help me access more competitive opportunities in the industry. The MSAFA program stood out to me because it offers a combination of PhD-level courses and MBA classes. I liked that mix since it allows you to build strong technical skills while also learning in a way that connects directly to how the industry works. It felt like the right balance between academic depth and practical exposure.

I was also drawn to being in New York City. Being at the center of the finance world gives you constant exposure through company visits, guest speakers, recruiting events, and everyday interactions with people working across the industry. I felt that Columbia would strengthen my skills and give me the network and opportunities I needed to take the next step in my career.

Which courses or professors have had the biggest impact on your learning so far?

Professor Shiva's course, Fundamental Analysis for Investors, Managers and Entrepreneurs, was one of the most valuable classes I took in Columbia. His approach pushed me to think from multiple stakeholder perspectives and to connect accounting details to the broader economics of a business, something that has stayed with me in how I now approach valuation and financial statement interpretation.

Another course that stood out to me is Mergers and Acquisitions with Luigi Rizzo. His extensive experience in real-world transactions made every session engaging and interesting. Through discussions, examples from past deals and insights from guest speakers, I gained a better understanding of how complex transactions come together and developed a more holistic view of the deal process.

I also appreciated the opportunity to take Advanced Security Analysis, where I had the chance to work on a semester-long investment pitch and received feedback directly from experienced professionals. Preparing for the Pershing Square Challenge and hearing from Bill Ackman during class made the course especially memorable.

Have you taken electives outside your core MS program? If so, what stood out?

Yes. Taking electives outside the core curriculum has been one of the most valuable parts of my experience at Columbia. I enrolled in Mergers and Acquisitions, Advanced Security Analysis, Project Finance, and Private Equity, and I also audited a few courses that I was curious about.

What stood out to me the most was how each elective helped me strengthen a different aspect of my skill set. The MBA courses in particular allowed me to learn alongside students from a wide range of backgrounds, which exposed me to new perspectives and helped me grow both technically and personally.

What’s been the most valuable insight or skill you’ve gained from learning at Columbia Business School?

The most valuable skill I have gained is the ability to analyze businesses in a more structured, thoughtful, and comprehensive way. While the program certainly strengthened my technical abilities, the real impact has come from learning how to connect classroom concepts to real-world situations.

Through coursework, discussions with professors, guest speakers, and conversations with classmates, I developed a clearer understanding of the finance industry as a whole. I learned how different roles interact, how career paths evolve, and how judgment is built through experience. This perspective has helped me refine my long-term goals and feel more confident about the next steps in my career.

What have been some of the most valuable relationships or connections you’ve built through this program?

The friendships I have built with my classmates have been one of the most meaningful parts of this experience. Our cohort is very collaborative and supportive, and that has made the academic and professional journey much more enjoyable.

I also truly value the relationships I have formed with faculty members. Professors are accessible, invested in their students, and generous with both academic and career advice. Their support has been an important part of my growth here.

In addition, the Career Management Center has played an essential role in my experience. I even went on to become a Career Representative for my cohort, which allowed me to work more closely with the advisors. Their support throughout the recruiting process has made a significant difference.

How has access to Columbia Business School’s resources and alumni network shaped your professional opportunities or mentorship experiences?

The alumni network has been one of the strongest advantages of being at Columbia. Alumni are consistently open to connecting, sharing their experiences, and offering mentorship. Speaking with professionals across different areas of finance helped me gain clarity on potential career paths and understand what roles align with my interests.

Columbia also offers opportunities to gain hands-on experience through in-semester internships, which I found extremely valuable. Applying what I learned in class directly to real transactions and projects helped me grow much faster.

The combination of alumni support, career resources, faculty mentorship, and experiential learning has shaped my professional development in a meaningful way.

What would you tell a prospective student about managing the fast-paced structure of the MS program? Any application tips you would like to share?

The program moves quickly, so it is important to have a clear understanding of why you want to pursue this degree and what you hope to achieve during your time here. Being intentional about your goals will help you prioritize the courses, opportunities, and activities that matter most to you.

I also encourage prospective students to take advantage of the program's flexibility. You have the freedom to explore electives across the business school and even audit courses that interest you, which allows you to shape your academic experience around your aspirations.

For the application, I would recommend being genuine about your motivations and experiences. Columbia values applicants who are thoughtful, self-aware, and clear about their goals, so it is important to let that perspective come through in your story.

What has been the most rewarding part of your MS journey so far?

The most rewarding part has been the combination of personal growth and professional clarity I have gained throughout the year. I explored industries and roles I had not previously considered which helped me refine the direction I want to pursue after the program.

Participating in competitions was also a highlight. Being selected as finalists in the Morgan Stanley Investing Competition in London was an unforgettable experience. Working with my team, presenting to senior professionals and meeting students from around the world made the experience both exciting and meaningful.

Above everything else, the friendships and sense of community I have built at Columbia have made this journey incredibly special.

Post-MS career interests?

In the short term, I would like to continue building my career in investment banking, as it is an environment where I can deepen my technical skills, gain meaningful transaction experience, and work closely with companies undergoing important strategic decisions. My experience in the program has reinforced how much I enjoy this type of fast-paced and analytical work.

At the same time, the in-semester internship I completed during the program, along with the classes I took, sparked a strong interest in investing roles that focus on complex situations. Through exposure to valuation work, credit analysis, and restructuring concepts, I became very interested in distressed private equity and special situations funds. I find these strategies particularly compelling because they require a combination of financial analysis, judgment, creativity, and a deep understanding of the incentives that shape outcomes during times of uncertainty.

In the long term, I would like to transition into a role where I can use the skill set I have developed at Columbia to evaluate investments, understand the levers that can create value, and contribute to decision-making in environments where thoughtful analysis has a real impact on results.