Meet Ley Ito, a Corporate Finance & Ratings Advisory (CFRA) team intern at Mizuho EMEA. We asked him to describe a typical day on his internship, what he has learnt from with the team so far, and how the experience is helping him explore future career opportunities.
My morning routine is...
I wake up at around 6:45am, have a shower and breakfast, then cycle to the station and take the train to the office. As a competitive swimmer, I also have morning training a couple of times a week. On those days I get up earlier, grab something to eat after training, and head into the office.
My role involves...
I am interning for the full 10 weeks in the CFRA team. I support the team with a variety of tasks, including sourcing and analysing data to create presentations, conducting research, and recently assisting with the development of a financial model. Alongside the technical work, I have really enjoyed getting to know my colleagues and learning more about their expertise.
For lunch I...
I often walk with members of my team to pick up lunch locally before returning to the office together. It is a great opportunity to get to know my colleagues better, while also learning from their insights and experiences. I also spend time with fellow interns and explore the variety of takeaways in the area. There’s always something new to try!
The networking on the internship has been...
We are provided with many opportunities to socialise with others in our intern cohort. A key highlight has been playing traditional Japanese Taiko drums! We also meet informally after work on Thursdays, which has been a valuable way to build relationships across the programme.
The thing I am enjoying most about my internship...
One of the best parts of the internship has been the endless opportunities to learn from people across the bank. What I have enjoyed most are the weekly internal training session and networking sessions with other teams across the bank. This has given me valuable insights into different areas of the business and how they work together. Everyone has also been very approachable and willing to answer any questions I may have.
I chose Mizuho because…
I am studying for a BSc in Geography with Economics at the London School of Economics. Through modules such as Environmental Economics, I have developed a strong interest in the energy transition, making Mizuho's growing presence in the sector across Europe particularly appealing.
I was also drawn to the opportunity to join a bank with an exciting growth trajectory across EMEA and gain exposure to a wide range of industries and clients. Being half Japanese, I was also keen to gain exposure to Japanese business culture, making Mizuho a natural fit for my interests and career aspirations.
In my time at Mizuho, I’ve learnt that…
During my internship, I have been able to explore my interest in the energy transition further through our ESG group project, as well as training sessions with the Sustainable Finance and Project Finance teams.
As I return for the final year of my degree, I will take with me a range of valuable skills, including the ability to work with large datasets, extract meaningful insights, and communicate complex information through presentations. Most importantly, I have strengthened my attention to detail and gained valuable experience collaborating in a professional environment.
The culture at Mizuho is…
As someone who enjoys working as part of a team, Mizuho's collaborative culture stood out to me from my very first week. There is a strong emphasis on collaboration, whether across teams on the banking floor or between colleagues in different offices, including Greenhill and Augusta. From a social perspective, the environment is welcoming and you quickly feel part of the team.
One piece of advice to future interns...
My advice would be to approach both the application process and the internship itself with curiosity. When applying, take the time to understand Mizuho's strengths and what sets the bank apart in the market.
Once you're here, don't be afraid to ask questions, no matter how obvious they may seem. Everyone is keen to help, and I've found that being curious and proactive is the best way to deepen your understanding of both the role and the industry, while making the most of the opportunities available.
With hands-on projects, exposure to global teams, and a pathway to graduate roles, Mizuho’s internship programme is designed to launch your career in finance with confidence and clarity. Learn more about the programme here.
