From Global Living to High Finance: How Nihal Jha Landed His Role as Investment Analyst at Rocsearch

In the fast-paced world of investment research, technical skills are only half the battle. To truly stand out, you need a sharp global outlook, clear communication and the confidence to walk a hiring manager through a live valuation model.

For Nihal Jha, cracking core finance roles was all about bringing together a diverse international background, top-tier academic training from the University of Nottingham, a 92nd percentile score in CFA Level 1 and hands-on preparation for financial modelling and valuation at The WallStreet School (TWSS). Today, he brings that exact mix of skills to his new role as an Investment Analyst at Rocsearch.

We caught up with Nihal to talk about his journey, his global experiences and how he transitioned from textbook theory to live deal execution.

Q: Nihal, you’ve lived across three countries and traveled quite a bit. How much did that international background shape your mindset toward the financial markets?

Nihal: It changed how I view businesses completely. When you grow up moving around, you quickly realize that companies don't operate in a bubble. Global supply chains, geopolitical shifts and cross-border macroeconomic trends dictate everything a business does.

That exposure naturally made me curious about how the wider world works. So when I look at a company today, I don't just stare at its financial statements—I look at the broader macro picture and how global movements are going to affect its bottom line down the road.

Q: You cleared CFA Level 1 in the 92nd percentile, which is fantastic

With credentials like that, what made you decide to join The WallStreet School (TWSS) as well?

Nihal: The CFA program is phenomenal for building a deep theoretical foundation and understanding financial reporting inside out. But when you step into an interview for an analyst role, they want to see live proof of work. They don't just want theory; they want to know if you can actually open Excel right now and build a three-statement model or run a DCF valuation from scratch.

I wanted to bridge that exact gap between academia and real-world execution. I kept hearing great things about TWSS’s practical approach to Financial Modelling & Valuation and it turned out to be the perfect missing puzzle piece for my prep.

Q: You’ve been heavily involved in debating and public speaking—even serving as President of the Nottingham Debate Society. How much of an edge does that give you in finance?

Nihal: Honestly, it’s half the job! You can build the most brilliant, complex financial model in Excel, but if you can't stand up and explain your valuation assumptions clearly to an investment committee or senior executives, your numbers won't save you.

All those debates, presentations and even presenting to senior U.S. executives during my internship at Baker Hughes taught me how to distill complex data into a clear story. Even when I won first place in the Investment Analyst Arena, the real win was being able to back up my financial models with a clear, persuasive investment thesis.

Q: You've already valued over 15 companies across different sectors. How did your time at The WallStreet School change the way you look at company financials?

Nihal: TWSS completely shifted my perspective. Instead of just memorizing formulas, we learned the actual business logic behind why numbers move.

We practiced linking balance sheets with cash flow statements, running comparative analyses, and building clean, error-free financial models from the ground up. By the time I was analyzing companies like Inox India or various banking firms, I wasn't just reading reports anymore– I actually understood how to forecast their financial futures with confidence.

Q: Massive congratulations on joining Rocsearch as an Investment Analyst! How did it feel going through their interview process with all this preparation under your belt?

Nihal: Thank you so much! The interview loop was definitely rigorous, but having gone through the grind of building full models at TWSS and pushing through my CFA prep made it feel much more natural.

When they asked me technical questions about valuation frameworks or financial statements, I wasn't guessing—I was drawing straight from the practical work I had already been doing. It felt like stepping onto a field I had already practiced on

Q: To wrap things up, what is one piece of advice you’d give to students trying to break into core finance roles today?

Nihal: Don't just collect degrees or certifications and expect things to happen. They are great door-openers, but actual skill is what keeps you in the room.

1. Build proof-of-work: Master Excel, build your own models, and dive into case competitions.

2. Stay globally aware: Read up on markets and current economic trends every single day.

3. Work on your communication: Learn how to talk about your numbers with absolute clarity.

If you can combine technical execution with a clear, confident voice, you'll stand out anywhere!