Making an 'Investment' for the Future

by Zafri Mustazah

During the summer of 2014 I had the opportunity to intern at CIMB Group Investment Bank in their Corporate Client Solution; Real Estate Finance sector. CIMB group is the second largest financial institution in Malaysia and one of the biggest financial institutions in Asia. During the internship, I had the opportunity to be exposed to Asia’s REIT’s market (Real Estate Investment Trust) and the real estate growth and development in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, and United Kingdom from an investment banks perspective. The task gave me in-depth knowledge on real estate deals and developments across Asia and parts of Europe.

To be precise about what I did during the internship, I was tasked as a research analyst. I was in charge of gathering crucial information from Bloomberg, Land Department of Malaysia, REIT’s companies, international and local valuation agencies for my department so that they could make a well-informed decision on current deals. Besides that, I was also tasked making a summary containing facts from project proposals with an up-to-date land and properties comparable for the respective projects, to be present to top management. Furthermore, I was in charge of making a REIT’s model for the Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong markets that contains the trend of REIT’s in their respective markets from 2003 to 2013. Finally, I was in charge of updating existing REIT’s models, records and departmental pitch books, which is important, as it will be given to prospective clients of the Investment Bank.

My Drake University experience, especially the Business 001, 002 and 003 classes that had exposed me to mock interviews, drafting memos and resumes, definitely helped me in securing this internship. Computer classes like IS 44, which I had taken at Drake really prepared me with Power Point, Excel and Access skills that helped me to complete tasks professionally and effectively during the internship.

My deep involvement in the international business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi at Drake University had equipped me with business knowledge from outside of the classroom such as networking skills, business etiquette and event organization that I found beneficial during my internship. Overall my Drake University experience had helped me to improve myself professionally and academically, which gave me a strong foundation to be a reckoning force in the market place.