No offense to most uol grads here.
But why are u guys so adamant in getting into the banking and finance industry? If you guys are thinking about getting into
IBD, go take a look at linkedin at all the summer analysts from undergrad/ masters programs. Take a look at their credentials, then ask yourself what do you have in common with them. Other than which uni they came from, look at what else they have. Before someone tell me that they knew of a UOL grad who had made it into
IBD, that is probably like 1% from the rest of the pool of "elites". And those 1% "lucky" UOL chaps either have some uber ninja networking skills or had CFA equivalent certs and etc. Things might be a little different but i hope you guys know what i'm trying to say here.
So if it's not
IBD that you're aiming for, then what? middle office? risk mgt department? Or derivatives trading? compliance? back office ops? You have
NTU,
NUS,
SMU,all the private Us and ppl who are thinking of making a career switch competing with you. I have a HR friend in 1 of the local big banks. She told me that they picked a
NTU physics graduate with no experience over a FCH BNF UOL grad for a position in corporate finance team. U see, even fresh grads from other non-finance related faculty are competing with you guys.
Don't let the banking craze cloud your judgement. Open your eyes and look around. Read more news and talk to friends in other industries. I have UOL friends working in
SGX, finance dept in some of the MNCs. I even know 1 chap who was doing admin/ops in a big agri trading house specialising in oil seeds, grain etc. Some networking here and there and slogged through countless of OTs, the firm finally bumped him up to be a full time trader.
But if you're still dead-fixed on heading into the BNF industry, then i wish you good luck. Persevere on, moderate your ambitions and be mindful of your surrounding and you will go far.