READ BEFORE YOU APPLY

The Focus
This program is intended for students who are certain about pursuing a career in the Asia-focused Alternatives Investment Strategies (AIS) finance arena. Although much of the training will provide a solid foundation for applying to other hedge fund strategies, as well as long-only, private equity, and investment banking groups, we focus on training in all areas of operating two long/short equity hedge funds trading listed Japanese and Chinese equities on the Tokyo, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong stock exchanges.
Our three main areas of focus:
- Asset Management
- Investment Banking
- Private Equity

The Approach
Our mantra is “Ma Ka Hana Ka Ike” or “from the doing comes the knowledge.” We take a hands-on approach, so almost all training is from a practical standpoint, provided by advisors and/or cohort members already working in the field. Our program is marked-to-market against best practices in the field, so there is very little theory here. We are the antithesis of the jack-of-all-trades regimen, providing expertise through practical training in a real-world setting, using real-world tools, and repetition/drills until you can do it in your sleep.

The Goal
The AFATP is the educational arm of the AKAMAI Initiative. Our goal is to have students trained in the skills and activities one would have after having been hired, trained, and working for a year or so in an actual firm – before you apply. We try to supplement this training with internships at hedge funds, long-only shops, or investment banks.

What We Look For
This program involves a tremendous amount of work and self sacrifice. The characteristics we look for in a candidate includes:

• Kuleana (Responsibility; Helping/Giving) – you understand that this program was built upon the shoulders of Cohort members before you, and you look forward to joining the phalanx and making a contribution to its improvement…eat now, feed later;
• Kupuohi (Maturity) – you are done with the club scene, already thinking about long-term life goals and your contribution to society;
• Kuana (Attitude) – you don’t whine about your disadvantages; you accept your lot in life, get in the trenches and work hard to make the best of what you got;
• I’ini (Passion for the field) – you love finance; framed (or plan to) your first financial model, and actually enjoy reading the MD&A section of 10K’s for fun;
• Ho’omau (Perseverance) – you love a good challenge, and never give up; using creativity to see things through to the end, no matter what the odds;
• Nahoa (Risk Taker) – you are not risk averse; even falling on your face is still forward motion; if you are afraid to lock horns with high beta projects, invest in a warm blanket and stay at home;
• Moliaola (Selfless) – you understand that we face an uphill battle and long odds, it will take all of us collectively to succeed….so no prima donnas;
• ‘A’a Ka Pa’a (Firm Conviction) – understand the mission, believe in the vision, and stand firm; the program is a work-in-progress and will take a lot of work and a long time to build out and perfect – you always stay the course
  
  

The Application Process
The application process includes:

1. Complete application submitted before deadline
2. Selected applicants are invited to enter the first semester probationary period as Jr. Associate/Analyst Candidates
3. Selected Candidates are invited to Orientation
4. Candidate orientation, pre-test, and pre-reading assignments
5. Weekly Cuts – weekly pass/fail exams during first four weeks
6. Remaining Candidates invited to continue through the first semester probationary period
7. End of semester Pass/Fail final exam
8. Remaining Candidates interview with Portfolio Manager and Senior Associates/Analysts of the AKAMAI Japan Fund or AKAMAI China Fund.
9. Selected Candidates invited to join the AFATP program in either Fund as Junior Associate/Analyst the next semester.
10. As in the real-world, Portfolio Managers have discretion to fire at-will, anyone not doing quality work or failing to meet the expectations of the Fund.
    
    

The Strategy
Educational pedigree bias is a fact of life in the finance industry, especially so in the hedge fund, private equity, and investment banking arenas. To overcome this, we must not only work harder to be better than the competition (because if they don’t even read your CV, your skills don’t matter), we must also build relationships in the industry to ensure our CV’s are reviewed. This is one of the reasons why the Cohort is so important. We need to maintain longitudinal cohesiveness via the website to make sure we are always up to date with industry best practices, and to rely on those who make it into the field to lookback and pull our Cohort Ohana in…that is our strategy, that is your commitment to the Cohort.

The Hui (Cohort)
Earn the privelege to benefit from the sacrifices, hard work, failures and successes of those who came before you by working hard to learn from what they have built, and contributing to it as well. Do your part to know and strengthen the bonds of the Cohort.

No Guarantees
We do not guarantee that anyone will be assured an internship or position with any firm. Much of that depends on the firms we approach, the industry at that time, and your strengths as a candidate.