gradsingapore STEM Career Guide 2022

Page 55

IT AND TECHNOLOGY | AREAS OF WORK

Financial Technology (Fintech) Enhance the efficiency of financial services in banks and insurance firms with technological innovations.

T

he growth of financial technology, also known as fintech, has led to a time of innovation in financial services and in turn, has opened many employment opportunities in the industry.

Career overview Graduates keen on entering this field can look forward to working with technologies that are aimed at automating parts of the banking sector, and also programmed to lend support to functions such as handling data management, interactions and transactions between financial firms and their partners and clients. Employers generally come in the forms of established financial institutions, technology firms and start-ups, and typically falling under one of these categories: • P ro d u c t p rov i d e rs : T h ey ’re organisations that offer financial products, such as retail and online banks, investment management companies, as well as insurance and actuarial firms. They may also include other less conventional corporations that provide financial services and products • Service providers: These refer to companies that work hand-in-hand with product providers to offer advisory and other forms of assistance. Financial advisors, actuarial firms and other business consultancy organisations can be found in this category

• Technology providers: These range from technology “partners” to product and service providers that cater to their software and technology service needs Work for IT personnel, at times referred to as IT engineers, usually revolves around a few functions: • Application development: Where engineers develop applications and software to improve an organisation’s facilities • Infrastructure: Personnel build and maintain components – both hardware and software – required to host a firm’s programmes • Support: Engineers assist users and handle troubleshooting when required; compared to the other two roles, this area involves more client-facing responsibilities

Trends and developments Fintech in ASEAN markets has greatly benefitted from the Covid-19 pandemic. Digital banks have taken off, with three countries – namely Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines – now notably offering licences. Present banking players and non-fintech giants have entered the ring, and though the race is currently far from over, the winners will be able to exert significant influence over the region. Closer to home, according to the Singapore Fintech Report 2021, the small country maintained its fintech momentum, riding on the tailcoats of

fintech initiative, new regulations and new digital banks. Fintech investment even reached US$36m in 2020, making up 6.2 per cent of the total raised in Asia!

Pros and cons Work satisfaction Many IT personnel find satisfaction in being able to serve the finance community both on a national and global scale by contributing to more efficient banking experiences. Irregular working hours While a work-life balance is guaranteed most days, every now and then, engineers may be required to stay back after regular working hours for systems or network maintenance.

Required skills

• Passionate about technology and financial services • Aware of the latest trends in both the technology and financial services industries • An eye for detail • Good interpersonal skills • Problem-solving skills • Integrity and credibility

STEM Career Guide 2022

53


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Articles inside

Engineering: A Beginner’s Guide

4min
pages 70-71

for Graduates to Know

5min
pages 72-73

Technology Consulting

2min
page 66

Web Development and e-Commerce

3min
pages 67-69

Professional IT Services

2min
page 65

IT Services

2min
page 64

IT in Telecommunications

2min
page 62

IT Outsourcing

2min
page 63

IT in Retail

3min
page 61

IT in Manufacturing

2min
page 60

IT in Investment Banking

2min
page 59

Hardware Development

2min
page 58

Games Development

3min
page 57

Financial Software Development

2min
page 56

Cybersecurity

2min
page 54

Financial Technology (Fintech

2min
page 55

Technology Jobs in SMEs

3min
pages 50-51

in IT and Technology

3min
pages 48-49

Jobs for Graduates

5min
pages 52-53

Technology Graduates Should Know

5min
pages 46-47

Science Writing

3min
pages 44-45

Research Chemistry

1min
page 43

Food Technology and Safety

2min
page 41

in the Science Sector

2min
pages 38-39

Meteorology

2min
page 42

Environmental Science

2min
page 40

What Else Can I Do with a STEM-Related Degree?

5min
pages 30-31

Five Soft Skills for STEM

4min
pages 28-29

Career and Graduate Employer

4min
pages 16-17

Graduate STEM Specialist

3min
pages 20-21

Industries in the STEM Sector

4min
pages 8-9

Assessment Centres for Graduate STEM Jobs

2min
pages 24-25

Getting a STEM Graduate Job

4min
pages 14-15

Technical Skills Needed in STEM to Seal the Deal

5min
pages 26-27

Is a Career in STEM for Me?

2min
pages 10-13

Technical Interviews for Graduate STEM Positions

3min
pages 22-23
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