Explore your interests, reach out to experts, and broaden your network to enter the working world advises second year NBS student Cleo Sim.

Looking back on my journey thus far in Nanyang Business School (NBS), where I am currently in my second year of a Double Degree in Accountancy and Business (specialising in Banking and Finance), I can vividly recall being unsure of what I wanted to pursue as my career and unaware of opportunities that were available to a business student like myself. Fast forward to today, I find myself working towards something I know I want to pursue as a career when I graduate and also taking up internships to gain more knowledge in relevant domains.

Certainly, the curriculum and modules in NBS have allowed me to realise my interests and sparked my curiosity in the field of finance, where I was particularly drawn towards modules like Investments and Financial Management. These allowed me to realise that Finance was something I wanted to pursue as a career. However, after recognising how broad the field of Finance was, I was thankful that NBS had its own dedicated team at the NBS Career Office to help individuals like myself prepare and understand the many different jobs and roles available in specific fields.

The NBS Career Office provides students with the necessary support they need – from understanding and exploring career pathways through networking events, to resume’ writing workshops, masterclasses and mock interviews with industry professionals and mentorship programs. These workshops and events held by the career offices have indeed been helpful for students like me, who are uncertain of what we want to pursue, and give us a confidence booster when preparing for interviews for internships.

The career and internship resources at NBS have helped me secure several internship stints. I am currently on a full-time internship with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) working as a Private Equity Intern, a space I have always been interested in exploring. Previously, I have also had the opportunity to explore the M&A space with Vibranium Holdings and did my Year 1 summer internship with HSBC.

These varied experiences have allowed me to expand my network of connections, forge new friendships, gain fresh insights and most importantly, allowed me to feel more confident as I move towards finding my next internship.

While the thought of stepping into the workforce and finding out which path we want to pursue may seem daunting at first, I can reassure you that there are many resources and people that will help you along the way. So, take your time and enjoy the process!

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