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Summer Acts
Dream Career
Comes True
Working at Investment Bank as Graduate Trainee is one of the dream jobs of many fresh graduates.
Mr. John Cheng, CUHK graduate in 2011, shares with us his experience on how his summers and
university life lead him to his current position as a Graduate Analyst at a renowned investment
bank.
John Cheng
BSc in Quantitative Finance, 2011
My University Life
I majored in Quantitative Finance in CUHK. With my remaining credits I also
obtained a minor degree in Economics. Despite having tough school work and
tight deadlines for assignments and projects, I spent my spare time in various
extra-curricular activities. I was the Vice-President of Chung Chi College
Student Union, from which my leadership skill was enhanced. I also joined the
exchange program to University of Southern California, where I polished my
communication skills and expanded my cultural perspectives. I also participated
in Joint-University case competitions and further developed my interest in the
financial market and business world. All these experience are as important as
the knowledge that I have acquired from lectures and textbooks.
My Fruitful Summers
Getting a job that I love is not just by chance.
I worked for four companies as summer intern before I joined Barclays as
Graduate Analyst last year. I insisted applying for internship every summer, not
just because it can “enrich” my résumé with working experience. Internship,
in fact, is the best way to learn about whether I like the job and does the
job suit me or not. I intentionally chose companies from very different fields,
ranging from government, conglomerate to banking, in four summers during my
university study. It is not until I worked at an investment bank I found where my
real interest lies.
So, spend the summer time wisely and do not waste any bit of it! Getting a job
that you love is not just by chance.
Find what you love to do, and go for it
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Steve Jobs
For me, what I get most from university life is to figure out a career to pursue. As
I have strong passion in financial market and structured products, I chose to join
banking, one of the most competitive industries, among other job offers. Being a
Graduate Analyst in Product Control Team at Barclays, I have chances to learn
a lot more about financial products and how banks exploit market opportunities
and make profit.
The greatest thing about working for a multi-national company is that one can
gain significant global exposure in the industry. As soon as I joined Barclays,
I attended a five-week training workshop with my fellow graduates in London.
We travel to Singapore twice a year for further on-the-job training. Moreover,
as part of my daily work, I hold conference calls with colleagues in different
regions such as Tokyo, India, London and New York. I love what I am doing and
I am grateful for the ample opportunities and resources provided for my career
development.
It is important to think about what you really want before applying for your
graduate job.