Corinne Thomas

MPhil in Sociology 2017-2018

The Lenox-Conyngham Scholarship provided me with an unparalleled experience, and one I will cherish for the rest of my life. The University of Cambridge is one of the best educational institutions in the world – intelligent, supportive professors, a vast array of course offerings, and a rich history dating back to 1209. I was given the opportunity to pursue a truly unique degree, a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Sociology with the freedom to structure my studies with courses from any department at the University. I took courses in the Departments of Sociology and History as well as the Judge Business School, developing a well-rounded perspective of financial markets. Ultimately, my focus was to explore the societal and structural shifts that occur with financial innovation, and I developed a case study for the growth of private credit. This particular area of finance is relatively unaddressed in academic literature, and I hoped to contribute to the discipline. Pursuing independent research about the growth of private credit markets allowed me to interview professionals in the space, enhancing my understanding of the market and expanding my professional network. Concurrently, my MPhil supervisor guided me to relevant academic literature to contextualize my findings and develop an additional perspective on financial markets. My coursework, research, and supervisions shaped my academic experience at Cambridge and provided me with a unique skillset to succeed in the workplace and/or future academic endeavors.

Beyond academics, this scholarship provided the opportunity to make global, lifelong friendships and explore new places. I met people from all over the world, and I keep in touch with several of my Cambridge friends. When I traveled back to the University for graduation, my Cambridge friends attended the ceremony as my family. A highlight of each term was lunch at George and Jane Reid’s home in Cambridge. Their warm hospitality included home-cooked meals, great conversation, and stories of Cambridge through the years. Although it was always sad to leave Cambridge, I traveled at every available opportunity, visiting twelve countries and twenty cities during my year abroad. Among my favorite adventures included exploring the desert of Morocco, the lakes of Slovenia, and the city streets of Milan and Stockholm. Back at Cambridge, there was no shortage of extracurricular activities. I was the Ladies Captain of the Wolfson College Tennis Club, playing throughout the year and outfitting the team in stash. I served on the Wolfson May Ball Committee, planning the end-of-year black tie celebration for over 1,000 guests. During the Lent Term, I served on the Committee for the Cambridge Union Society, the oldest debating society in the world. Finally, I produced two sold- out productions and assisted with two other productions as part of the Cambridge theatre community. Some of my favorite Cambridge memories include attending one of Stephen Hawking’s final lectures at the Cambridge Union, cheering with friends as Cambridge won The Boat Race in London, and cycling down King’s Parade in the crisp, early morning. All of these experiences have enriched my life significantly, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunities created by this scholarship.

The Lenox-Conyngham Scholarship taught me that forging my own path can be both exciting and incredibly rewarding. Prior to learning about the scholarship, I was planning to follow the majority of Finance majors before me, starting my job as an Investment Banking Analyst in New York after graduation from the University of Virginia. I envisioned higher education and living abroad as hopeful, long term opportunities. The Lenox-Conyngham Scholarship took me on an exciting detour from my plan. I am now working in Investment Banking in New York, but I would love to return to the UK to work or possibly pursue a PhD at Cambridge. The academic and extracurricular opportunities afforded by this Scholarship will undoubtedly shape my future as a global citizen and businessperson. I cannot thank the Meade family, Anton Schefer and his family, and everyone involved with this process enough for this incredible experience. Cambridge will always have a special place in my heart.

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