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In the vibrant landscape of business, understanding the synergy between Finance and Business Analytics is crucial for organizations striving to not only survive but thrive in competitive markets. For NUS Business students, Finance and Business Analytics stand out as popular specializations, prompting students to ponder whether they are the right fit, what the study experience entails, and what internship opportunities are available. To shed light on these questions, Business Career Development Committee (BizCare) organized an Internal Networking session featuring Professor Tan Hong Ming from the Department of Analytics and Operations, along with Finance and Business Analytics students Sheng Yang Chow, Tan Yan Zhi, Joel Koh, Graciella Christina, and Aiken Ong, all of whom have experiences in internships related to Finance and Business Analytics.
Professor Tan Hong Ming kickstarted the session by elucidating the potential career paths that the Business Analytics specialization offers. With applications spanning various industries, the importance of business analytics in revenue management, online e-commerce, airlines, ride-hailing services, urban planning, and banking became evident. Professor Tan emphasized that living in a world driven by data requires the ability to analyze and utilize data in versatile ways.
Student speakers Sheng Yang Chow, Tan Yan Zhi, and Joel Koh shared their experiences in the decision-making process of choosing a specialization, emphasizing the role of trial and error. They recommended joining NUS CCAs as a way to meet new people, learn from mutual interests, and explore new skills. Common advice from the speakers included staying open-minded and continuously experimenting. For instance, Tan Yan Zhi highlighted that one might do so by experiencing various internship roles to figure out your likes and dislikes. The speakers also stressed how various experiences, such as taking specific modules outside their comfort zones or joining clubs have impacted their journeys. Sheng Yang emphasized that it is always better to try things rather than shying away and regretting later.
The application process for internships and the working experiences that followed were also discussed, where all five guest speakers stressed the significance of active participation in CCAs, exchange programs, and mentorship initiatives to expand skills and develop a stronger understanding of the market, before and even during the internship experience. Encouraging working in various industries, the speakers shared insights from their times at J.P. Morgan, KPMG, L’Oreal, and MUFG.
Graciella Christina, a Year 3 student with internship experience at KPMG, mentioned the importance of showing interest and exposure to the industry. Practical recommendations included practicing interviews and case scenarios, excelling in class, understanding concepts thoroughly, being familiar with the company, making a good impression, and continually developing one's skills. Sheng Yang and Aiken emphasized the importance of embracing new challenges, even in areas where proficiency may be lacking. They shared their struggles with coding and their subsequent decision to delve deeper into advanced analytical modules. This challenge led them to discover their respective callings in Machine Learning and Analytics.
In contrast, Joel pursued a unique double major in Business Administration and Literature, specializing in Finance. After dropping his Business Analytics major due to a lack of coding affinity, he found synergy between literature and finance. Joel highlighted the importance of meeting new people, always asking questions, and seeking one's passion. Grace echoed this sentiment, advising students not to choose specializations due to FOMO or peer pressure but to explore interests during their university journey, perhaps through seeking advice from mentors and peers.
In summary, the networking session provided a comprehensive exploration of Finance and Business Analytics, bridging theory with real-world experiences and offering practical insights for students navigating these dynamic fields. Through the networking session, students walked away with relatable tips for choosing their specializations as well as practical advice about their career journey as a whole.
Post-Panel Opinions from Students
“The sharing was very insightful in understanding the different aspects of Finance and Business Analytics. I particularly found Speaker Grace’s specialization in Business Analytics and Finance to be interesting as it is not a very common pairing. As an individual interested in both specializations, the sharing encouraged me to venture more into these specializations.”
~ Madhumita, Y1.