Career advice for fresh grad
Just graduated this year with an nus econs degree and I am currently applying for jobs. I have been applying mostly to banks for the positions that I am keen in (securities, fx related) but the dilemma here is that I cannot relate how can I perform in other job functions in the bank. Perhaps due to my ignorance, I fail to see the vast opportunities that lies ahead?
There are a few job recruiters that offered me contractual jobs (not an issue), but those are IT/ admin work. Not that I belittle IT jobs, the issue is that I believe my knowledge on VBA/ programming will not satisfy the job itself since the course I had taken was a add on to my diploma back then. Moreover I really wish to utilise something related to my major rather than to revert back to where I came from. As for now I am really keen to learn more about the securities/ fx side of the business and I don't mind taking on any related internship/ apprenticeship. The bank letter is here and seems like time is not on my side, can fellow forumers drop this greenhorn some career advice. |
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If you need to ask here means your studies and network is not there, why waste time pursuing something you have no chance of getting? Might as well take a look at where you stand and go for normal PME jobs within & outside banking. Pay and career progression is decent enough for you to live on anyway. The world is much bigger than high finance sector, it is better to be humble and live within your capabilities than waste time taking up lousy banking temp jobs in the hope that you will be the superstar who makes it big. |
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Now, I usually don't retaliate at such feedbacks but your assumption that if one's "studies and network is not there, why waste time pursuing something you have no chance of getting" is one that I highly disagree. Being realistic is one, but to know the importance to have something to work towards is another. To address this "Superstar who makes it big", I don't recall mentioning anything like that. I have been following the forum for quite some time and I have expected such replies, unfortunately I can understand why people are cynical towards any fresh grad or anyone who speaks of getting into the trade. |
I will be honest.
You're too late into the game, mate. There is a bigger world outside of FO finance. You missed the boat and you're probably never going to get on it. You can disagree or continue talking about outliers but no point right? Find anothe career path and work hard. |
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I see no point other than to feed myself if I were to pick another job that does not make me a better learned person. |
Fact is those who can get into trading fx/securities side have already done their internship, networking and even an offer now. You already graduate (technically unemployed now) then start to post on forum asking people how to get into where you want.
People advise you to be realistic and too late, you get all emotional and start retaliating. Is that not constructive feedback enough for you? So what are you looking for? Somebody to publish a step by step guide teaching you how to get into fx related? Get real. Also for someone who profess to have passion in securities/fx banking whatever, already graduate and don't even seem to know how banking works and how are the jobs classified. Some kind of passion & interest & "willing to learn" you are displaying. |
yet another grad who wants to work in sexy side of banking but dun even know what he wants. all big ego big ambition no action.
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From what I understand, your top-most preferred career is in the Securities/FX industry. Unfortunately, you've not managed to obtain a job there despite multiple applications. Nevertheless, although you're still ultimately interested in the Securities/FX industry, you don't mind trying out other job functions in a bank as long as they are decently good.
Current Status: Recent Graduate in NUS Economics; Have a contract offer at the IT department in a bank. I don't like to discourage people, but like the other posters, my opinion is that it'll be a tough challenge to get into your preferred job. The reason being: (1) You're a graduate, and thus will not fit into the "undergraduate" criteria for internships in most companies; (2) The securities/fx industry is competitive to get into; (3) The securities/fx industry is getting even tougher every year; (4) Qualifications - I'm not sure of your class of honours and relevant internships. If you would still like to try, your best bet would be to reach out for connections/people: 1) School: Your Alma Mater's career services and Alumni 2) Personal contacts: Family, Friends, Relatives, etc. 3) Publicly-available information: Apply/network/call/etc to all available Securities/FX jobs in all companies, whether they are in banks, boutiques or family offices. Doing the above can be very time-consuming and it doesn't guarantee that you'll get a job in the end. However, you'll never know if you never try. One thing to note is that life will not be all rainbows and sunshine even if you manage to get into one in the end. The industry is tough and will be even tougher in the years ahead. Don't think too much about compensation/etc; it may not be as attractive as what you may think it is to be. Job may be quite volatile too. Anyway, I would think that Tech isn't too bad these days as their roles are changing. However, this would depend on what you actually do within the bank (e.g. pioneering the bank's transformation towards digital platforms, or, just solving technical issues?). |
It is an open secret that in order to go into lucrative banking jobs, the standard way is to go for summer internships in global banks. Worse come to worse should at least have a short intern stint with local banks or related FIs. Now already graduate then say want to explore what kind of fx or securities jobs is too late already.
If all you are getting so far is only temp IT contract jobs, means not only your network is missing, even your CV & interview performance is very weak. Normal local uni grads should at least be able to get a perm offer for some BO jobs. |
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Those roles are probably filled up before ur final exam. Why you so late then apply?
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I understand how my current status looks like and I've just applied to the related posts not too long ago (since they are just posted), and yes I fully understand your advices/ message. I will see what can I do from here. Thank you so much! To the other posters, yes reality isn't kind and I can see why you people are so frustrated. To clear things up, i didnt apply for any BO positions (yet) since im still exploring. As for the contractual offer, i didnt apply for that as well. I am not publishing any more info since I'm still getting shot down either way. Being a keyboard warrior is easy, but being a helpful is difficult. Call my attitude shitty, label me as emotional, as I've said, being a keyboard warrior is easy I'm sure you know. Thank you for all your kind input. |
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Why so fixated on banking jobs mate? It ain't all the glamourous as what the industry makes it out to be.
To be honest, you are requesting help from people here, to see if there are any other ways you could enter your dream job. But you're not revealing your qualifications. We don't even know which uni you're from, and what degree you have (can only assume its related to Comp Sci). It makes alot of diff if you're from Ivy leagues, local U, or long dist learning. Also makes alot of diff if you're Summa/FCH, or others. |
I dun think people are being particularly harsh here, just stating the facts. Nobody has called you names or insulted you in anyway, I'm not sure why you are so hostile calling people keyboard warriors, trying to psycho analyze that people who don't agree with you must be frustrated with reality etc. Seems like you are the one who can't accept reality.
You need to take stock where you are. You keep saying fluffy concepts about how you want to be a learned person but your actions so far don't display any enthusiasm at all. First of all you never even tell anyone what exactly is your background, you muddled through 3-4 years in university (I assume) without any particular achievement or attempt to network or even understand how the banking sector works. Now that you graduate you haven't gotten anything, end up with a couple of IT temp jobs and still asking super basic questions like what jobs are there in the market is related to fx / securities. And for a guy who professes such passion in banking, you are now telling us you haven't even applied for any BO roles. So let me get this straight, you claim earlier you are not looking for FO jobs, and now you tell us you haven't even applied for any BO jobs. So what exactly have you been doing so far? "Finding out" more? Jeez you are really taking it easy, maybe stat board is more suitable for you. |
Last time say want to be a oil trader & broker:
https://forums.salary.sg/income-jobs/...t-analyst.html 1 mth later become bank lover.... |
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I will love to reveal more if we were to communicate via private message, otherwise anything I mention here will probably get shot down one way or another. Having said all that, I really appreciate your thoughtful approach. Quote:
I do not deny that my words and actions are lacking enthusiasm and I might have missed the boat according to some earlier posts, however not everyone started off knowing what or how to navigate their career path; unfortunately I am probably the one that went around the entire forest. I shall make no excuses but neither am I giving in to the defeatist mentality. Perhaps my posting here isn't exactly to seek career advices but to unconsciously, get my well deserved wake up call and I really thank you for giving me a good one. |
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