Your Opportunity as a Junior Summer Associate in Research

An overview of this program’s objectives and how you can benefit

As a Junior Research Associate (RA) you will play an essential role in assisting the Morgan Stanley Research team in maintaining and enhancing our global research reputation. Your work will be both qualitative and quantitative, and your findings will greatly affect reports that will be disseminated throughout the business. You will be analyzing companies and industry trends to help formulate assumptions on how well, or how poorly, a stock will do. You will be responsible for conducting analysis on companies you cover in industries that peak your interest. All of your work will be guided by your Lead Analyst, who is considered to be the firm's industry expert.

The Junior Associate Program in Research
How the program works and the day-to-day experience you can expect

The Junior Associate Program typically runs for two years. During the two-year program, you will be placed on a team, under the guidance of a Lead Analyst. You can learn about a specific industry, as well as how to analyze the companies within the industry. You will be trained on the analytical skills required to analyze companies, as well as on how to write to a specific audience.

Some of your typical roles and responsibilities include:

• Gathering and analyzing industry data to develop an industry vision
• Analyzing emerging trends in an industry or macro-economy
• Preparing comprehensive company reports
• Assessing relative stock valuations and reviewing findings with senior team members and, ultimately, with internal and external clients

Launching Your Career
The initial training that you receive on starting the program

The Junior Associate Program begins with a four to six-week training and development curriculum to equip you with the fundamental skills and professional awareness you will need to be successful. The curriculum includes course work in financial statement analysis, corporate finance and financial modeling in Excel, and a customized series of seminars presented by senior members of the department.

Training will focus on in-depth accounting, financial modeling (including case studies) and overviews on Morgan Stanley as a business. Additionally, you may be trained on ModelWare, which is our proprietary model-building system.

You will participate in training and study sessions to prepare you for the Series 7 and Series 63 exams. Studying for the CFA is strongly encouraged and is supported by the firm.

Along with formal training, you may be assigned a mentor upon arrival at the firm. The mentor is a senior-level person in the division, but not someone with whom you will be working directly. This person can help guide your career, prepare you for what's ahead and assist you with career planning. Traditionally, mentoring relationships last years and may make a difference in your career.

Developing Your Career
What you can anticipate as you make progress and after completing the program

In the Junior Associate Program there is ongoing training, enabling you to strengthen or gain skills throughout your professional career. Senior management takes a keen interest in your progress as an RA and will look to you for fresh perspectives and new ideas. You are encouraged to take on responsibility quickly with a view towards developing your career within the firm.

After the Junior Research Associate program, participants may take a variety of paths. You may want to stay on as Research Associate, apply to other business units at Morgan Stanley, attend business school, or pursue different career ventures. The choice is yours.

Is Research Right for You?
A checklist to help you decide if you have the skills and temperament for this area

• You have strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• You are an excellent communicator and are comfortable dealing with clients.
• You have intellectual curiosity, focus and creativity.
• You have a keen research instinct and creative problem-solving abilities.
• You have a strong interest in the financial markets.
• You have an entrepreneurial spirit.
• You are a team player.

Requirements

You must have a Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. You must be fluent in both Japanese and English including oral, reading and writing.

Selection Process

Initial interviews will happen on campus and later rounds allow you the opportunity to experience a visit to our New York office. The interviews are generally hosted by both senior-level Lead Analysts as well as Associates and Junior Associates. Our culture is collaborative and we want you to meet those who will guide your career, as well as those who will be working with you on a day-to-day basis.

How to Apply

If you are attending school in Japan (all nationalities) and will participate in the Boston Career Forum, please apply through the Boston Career Forum website.

If you are attending school in Japan (all nationalities) and will not participate in the Boston Career Forum, please visit our local campus recruiting website (Japanese only).

If you are attending school outside Japan (all nationalities), please send your CV with your desired division and position (Full-time or Summer Intern).