Raluca-Ioana Mocanu

To briefly introduce myself, my name is Raluca Mocanu, and I would say I am someone with an insatiable curiosity to understand the world and the way it functions. Whether it has been through my academic journey or my art in my free time, I have continued to look for answers to all my questions. That is also the reason why I decided to pursue my post-secondary education in a program with a rotation in three countries on different continents. And as a result, this experience allowed me to understand and appreciate different cultures and ways of thinking, while also offering me unique academic strengths. 

My curiosity is also the reason why I have become interested in finance. I found it fulfilling to delve deep into different concepts, seeking to not only understand the ‘how’ but also the ‘why’ behind financial decisions. Plus, this innate interest in understanding the world drove me to seek resolutions to the different complex problems I have encountered. 

I am particularly drawn to finance and financial consulting specifically because it offers a stimulating and intellectually challenging setting where I can apply my analytical skills and navigate the multifaceted questions of the finance world. Thus, I want to continue to work in such a dynamic environment and I am interested in securing an internship opportunity as a financial analyst, where I can entertain my curiosity. 

During my internship with the Corporate Product Division's Project Finance Office in the Specialized Lending team at BCR (August 2022 - January 2023), I played a pivotal role in the due diligence analysis for projects requiring complex funding solutions. I meticulously analyzed the forecast positions of nine projects, ultimately contributing to the approval of three significant transactions. Additionally, I provided valuable support in the preparation of seven comprehensive credit applications, which involved in-depth research on company profiles, market dynamics, peer benchmarking, and financial analysis. This experience allowed me to gain valuable insights into the intricacies of project finance, further enhancing my analytical and financial skills. 

In the same time, I also took on the role of a part-time cashier at MegaImage (a supermarket chain, established in Romania in 1995). While my part-time job only required me to work only 20 hours a week, along with my internship I was working more than 60 hours a week, 7 days a week. My responsibilities included efficiently handling financial transactions and ensuring the accuracy and security of payments. At the end of the day, I consistently contributed to the store's revenue by processing transactions amounting to approximately 1000 SGD per day.

Before these, I did a one month internship with EY Romania's Valuation, Modeling, and Economics (VME) department, where I engaged in data collection and market research activities. Specifically, I gathered data on hundreds of luxury hotels across Romania, meticulously cataloging their names and room price ranges by location, which was instrumental in conducting a comprehensive market outlook. Additionally, I conducted in-depth research on A-class office buildings in Bucharest, extracting key statistics such as gross leasable area (GLA), occupancy rates, monthly rates per square meter, and more. This data was used to create valuable market comparisons with other regions. My experience at EY Romania enhanced my research and analytical skills while providing me with insights into the dynamics of the hospitality and commercial real estate sectors in Romania.

I am currently completing my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from EDHEC Business School. This program involves a rotation on three different continents. Thus, I did my first year in Nice, France and my second year at UCLA Extension, where I received my Certificate in International Trade and Commerce and I will complete my last rotation at Nanyang Technological Univeristy in Singapore, where I am going to receive a Certificate in International Management.