Rishab’s Journey: Learning and Networking Your Way into Ireland’s Finance Industry

I am Rishab Sanjay Nair , an Investment Associate at EPIC Investment Partners. I completed my joint honors in Business & Economics from Trinity College, Dublin. I spoke with Leap about my journey for their expert student series—Indians who had studied abroad recently and are still in that country pursuing their dreams—because I want to help others wanting to take the same career jump that I made.

Q: Tell us about your background.

I am originally from Kerala, but my father was in the army so we moved around a lot. Hence, I changed several schools in India. I graduated from the Army public school in Dhalakwa, Delhi. And after that, I applied to a few universities abroad. I wanted to do something with social sciences or economics. So I applied to a few of them in Europe, Australia, and the US as well, and finally chose Trinity College in Dublin for a course called BESS which stands for Business Economics and Social Sciences.

Q. How did you decide where to go and study? What was the process like?

I wanted to go to a European country since the climate here is more favorable than in the other continents.? I wanted to study in a place with a smaller Indian diaspora, which influenced my choices between the US, UK, and Canada. While the US was an option, its high costs were a concern—though, in hindsight, the difference may not have been as significant.?

Many people in Europe traditionally chose the UK for its status as a financial hub, the quality of education, and job opportunities. However, after Brexit, many companies began relocating operations outside the UK, with Ireland being a key beneficiary.

Ireland's appeal lies in several factors: it's an English-speaking country, it offers a comparable quality of education, and its lower corporate tax rate has attracted businesses to set up headquarters or ancillary services here. This shift has increased job opportunities, making it, in some ways, a more favorable option than the UK, something I carefully considered when making my decision.

Trinity College and Ireland met all my criteria, making them my preferred choice. Trinity College is known for its great alumni network. It is highly ranked in Ireland as well as across the world. It was in the top 100 universities according to the QS ranking. Other than that,? I looked into the course and curriculum. It offered a lot of flexibility.?

Q. What was it like to study there?

In Ireland, social interactions largely revolve around pubs, even for group projects or casual meet-ups. This was a stark contrast to what I am used to in India and took some time to adjust to.

Beyond social differences, adapting to life in Ireland also meant navigating a different academic environment. Unlike in India, where there’s more structured guidance, education here is highly self-driven. There’s no constant oversight—students are expected to take initiative, conduct independent research, and engage with coursework beyond rote learning. Exams are more application-based, requiring a deep understanding of concepts rather than memorization. This approach suited me well, as I was never inclined toward rote learning.?

I found ways to integrate into Irish society, particularly through college clubs and societies. These organizations offer a great way to meet people with shared interests, learn about different cultures, and build connections. They host social events, workshops, and networking opportunities that help students settle in and find their place.

Q. Can you break down your expenses??

Tuition fees were somewhere around €18,000 to €20,000 per year (?18–19 lakh). Trinity College provided subsidized student housing for first-year undergraduates, but from the second year onwards, students had to find private accommodation, which was significantly more expensive. In the fourth year, involvement in college activities like sports and student organizations helped secure on-campus housing, which is usually reserved for final-year undergraduates and PhD students.?

During the peak of my social life (first year), expenses for going out were about €100–120 per week (?10,000–12,000) for clubbing, pubbing, and events. On a more moderate budget, €40–50 per week (?4,000–5,000) sufficed. Traveling within Ireland was relatively economical—group trips via train and Airbnb cost around €30 per person (?3,000) for a weekend.?

Q. How did you finance it?

The first year was partially funded by a scholarship (based on academic and extracurricular achievements), with parents covering the remaining tuition. From the third year onwards, a student loan was taken to fund tuition. Living expenses were not covered by the loan. Part-time jobs within the university paid well and were flexible, allowing students to balance work and academics.

Q: How challenging was your job hunt after graduation? Is there any particular strategy that worked for you?

It took me nine months to land a job after graduation. One major reason why it took so long for me was that I was primarily applying for core finance roles. I also did not apply to any of the major Big 4 finance consulting firms that were doing mass hiring at that time. Consulting, in my view, often requires being a jack of all trades, master of none, whereas I wanted something more specialized.

At first, my job search was narrow and selective. I focused only on top-tier banks and elite trading firms like SIG or Citadel. While I had the skills to secure interviews, I noticed that many others struggled even to reach that stage.

To improve my chances, I constantly updated and refined my CV, took relevant online courses (some subsidized by my college), and actively networked—especially through LinkedIn and university societies. Attending networking events helped me establish a presence in the field.

For trading firms, I also participated in competitions, which gave me real-world, simulated experience to showcase on my CV. Looking back, one mistake I made was applying to every role within a target firm rather than focusing on positions that truly aligned with my career trajectory. If I had to offer advice now, I’d emphasize the importance of prioritizing quality over quantity in applications.

Q. Do you want to give any general advice?

If you’re simply looking for any job, you’ll probably find one—but you may not be happy with it. However, if you're focused on landing a specific role, it will take time and effort. You need to stand out, network extensively, and strategically build connections.?

Finding balance is essential. Make friends, they will become your home away from home and help combat homesickness. Staying resilient is just as important. Rejections are common, and it took me nearly the entire duration of my visa to land my job, but persistence pays off. No matter what, don’t lose track of your goals. Keep working towards them and trust the process—it will eventually translate into something.