On February 21, the China-Gulf Forum invited Rachel Yao, the Associate of Goldman Sachs Investment Bank, for a fireside chat at NYUAD, and successfully offered NYU students an in-depth industry exchange. Drawing from her own experiences, Rachel offered a detailed analysis of the day-to-day operations of investment banking, the workings of Debt Capital Markets and Leveraged Finance, and Goldman Sachs’ role in China and the Gulf region. She also shared practical advice on applying to investment banks.
An investment banker’s day is both fast-paced and highly efficient. It starts with analyzing market trends and handling emails, then moves to team meetings to craft financing strategies — each step vital to global capital movements. Client communication is the fundamental task of the job that drives deals, manages risks, and maximizes value for the firm. Goldman Sachs’ IBD team adapts quickly and flexibly to the shifting markets, providing customized financial solutions for clients.
CDespite the unpredictable and ever-changing state of the global economy, Goldman Sachs remains optimistic, expanding projects and forming Capital Solutions Group to elevate cross-divisional collaboration and expand connections across regions. The UAE plays a significant role as a neutral funding partner. The fireside chat also discusses the debut pricing and issuance of China sovereign bonds in the Gulf region.
Goldman Sachs' hiring criteria focus not only on financial expertise but also on learning agility, logical thinking, and communication skills.
China-Gulf Forum 2025 is committed to building a high-level global exchange platform. In the future, we will invite more industry leaders to share deeper insights and inspiration, so stay tuned for our upcoming events in 2025!