BANKING AND INVESTMENT - Areas of Work
AT A GLANCE
BANKING AND INVESTMENT
About the industry Singapore is one of Asia’s premier financial centres due to its proximity to emerging markets in Southeast Asia and economic stability in the region. This has continued even now, during the pandemic, as much of the stock market worldwide is fuelled by aggressive stimulus packages rolled out by central banks and governments to boost growth. As a result, employees in the sector work long hours – 12-hour days are not uncommon, especially for front office roles. Jobs are also high-intensity and stressful as the field is both fast-paced and unpredictable. However, hard work does not go unrewarded; graduates have excellent structured career progression, have the opportunity to earn some of the highest salaries and bonuses, and have plenty of chances to gain responsibilities early in their careers.
32 | gradsingapore Finance Career Guide 2021
Must-have skills Working in the banking and investment field does not only call for resilience and the ability to work under pressure, but also a wide range of skills. Numeracy, and excellent verbal and written communication skills will come in handy when tasked with presenting complex concepts to colleagues and clients who may not have backgrounds in finance. A strong understanding of the financial markets, as well as the ability to think laterally and discern market trends, are also essential.
Getting in The sector is relatively hard to break into in Singapore. For starters, the market itself is small, and many investment banks fill the bulk of roles available through graduate schemes. However, scoring a relevant internship with an investment bank and performing well in it can give you an advantage in getting a place in a graduate scheme. Networking is also key to opening up potential employment opportunities. Fortune favours the bold, so be sure to conduct your own research on potential employers. More than that, do not shy away from approaching recruiters directly during career fairs and other outreach events where they look out for outstanding candidates.
