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Before joining EY-Parthenon (EY-P), I had gained some insight into the world of M&A through my internships in both law and corporate finance. I expected long hours, hectic days and detailed material preparation, but the sheer variety of the work still surprises me. Every project is different despite having similar characteristics, and even amid repetitive tasks, there is something new to tackle every day.
Coming from a background in law, my profile differs from the “typical” candidates within this field. While it hasn’t put me at a disadvantage, it does mean my strengths are a bit different and certain tasks require more learning . To build a stronger foundation, especially in financial analysis, I am complementing my field of knowledge with financial studies. Quite early on during my studies, I had the opportunity to gain some hands-on experience in M&A and corporate advisory through internships in law firms and a corporate finance boutique. Those roles gave me a solid foundation in transactions and deal processes in the advisory world, but they also made me curious about the strategic “why” behind transactions — not just how deals are executed, but why they make sense in the first place. I also became interested in the value-creation processes and the broader impact of certain transactions, which eventually led me to focus on transactions within the energy and infrastructure sector.
I already knew that EY-P had a strong focus on renewables and energy sector transactions and given my interest in both deals and their meaningful impact, the internship position at EY-P corporate finance team felt like a natural fit. From day one, I had the opportunity to be part of the deal teams and work on tasks similar to those of full-time analysts. The exposure hands-on experience and the supportive team were important reasons why I chose to continue as an analyst after my internship. I chose to continue as an analyst after my internship when given the possibility.
There isn’t really a typical week in this field, but my days most often involve preparing project materials, such as identifying potential investors, creating clear and visually appealing slides on the project or developing financial models, and attending meetings with clients, counterparties or team members. We usually hold weekly client meetings and separate internal check-ins, and at times, workshops or longer sessions to discuss specific project matters or, get more information for the material preparation or process management. We also regularly engage with potential investors.
I have really enjoyed the opportunity to take ownership and responsibility over my workstreams right from day one. Jumping into the deep end felt scary at first, but working independently, with sparring help always available, has taught me more than any formal training could. It was a clear step outside my comfort zone, yet one that significantly accelerated my learning and confidence.
There is a persistent stereotype that M&A is an individualistic and unforgiving field. In reality, what has surprised me most is how collaborative the work is. High expectations go hand in hand with sparring help, open discussions and learning from peers and colleagues who are at different stages in their careers.
The pace can be intense, which makes recovery and boundaries important. Between projects, I make an effort to reset, and within projects, regular check-ins and communication around deadlines and priorities help keep the workload manageable. I also consciously try to create time for the things that matter to me outside of work, as these breaks help maintain motivation and productivity.
If I could give one piece of advice to my trainee-self, I would say that feeling out of place or unsure at first is normal. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you are not in the right place, but rather that you’re learning something new. With time, the uncertainty tends to resolve itself through repetition, feedback and exposure. For anyone considering a similar path, I would encourage taking one small, concrete step attend a recruitment event, reach out to someone in the field for a conversation or draft the first version of an application. You don’t need to make a final, but these little steps will help turn interest into something more tangible.
In this article, Jutta Ropponen reflects on beginning her M&A career at EY-Parthenon with a background in law and early exposure to transactions. She describes the breadth of the project work, steep learning curve and the early responsibility she gained through hands-on involvement in deal teams. While the pace can be intense, collaboration, support and clear communication were key to managing her workload and development. Stepping outside her comfort zone has accelerated her learning and confidence, reinforcing that early uncertainty is a natural part of growth in a demanding yet rewarding field.
