What are your career goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
With my domain knowledge in finance as well as information technology, I hope to develop solutions that reduce inefficiency in business models.
Understanding the industry is very important. As such, I took part in various case competitions, hackathons and coding challenges, as well as networking sessions, to get to know the requirements for future job opportunities. I believe that these experiences are crucial in discovering what I want and opening up a path to work towards my dreams.
While having good results is vital, this alone is not everything. In today’s globalised world, fostering good relationships and being able to deliver and understand messages well are equally important. Focusing solely on hard skills is a thing of the past and this is an area I should work on.
You beat 50 teams to clinch the first prize in the UBS Group Chief Operation Officer Case Challenge 2019. What was your role in the team and why did you think your team won?
The case challenge was far more demanding than a school project, requiring us to apply classroom knowledge to real world problems in a short time. We did not join to win, but to learn, so being shortlisted as a Top 5 finalist was a pleasant surprise. This motivated us to work even harder, and our mentor’s industry insights helped us refine our presentation.
My main takeaway from this challenge is to tailor our pitches to different stakeholders. Management focuses on efficiency and KPIs, while employees are more concerned with how a solution impacts their roles.
What advice and tips do you have for a new QF scholar on how to navigate the first semester in SMU?
I recall how I initially struggled when transiting from National Service to student life at university. Adapting to the fast-paced learning environment in SMU was not easy. For new QF scholars, here are some tips:
- Look for a source of motivation that can keep you going for the next 4 years. That will keep you from burning out.
- Ask. Seniors are all willing to help (or at the very least, listen) as long as you ask.
- Results are important but they don’t shape who you are
- When there are opportunities for overseas exposure, go for it!
- Make the most of your experience in university. You will not have the same chance again.
