Learning mathematics has been exciting, and I believe that applying it in our world will be rewarding. This is why I decided to pursue the Quantitative Finance (QF) programme offered by the Department of Mathematics. Its multidisciplinary nature – a combination of mathematics, finance and computing – offers many career pathways. This is especially the case for a regional financial and tech hub like Singapore. Furthermore, tools and skills such as financial literacy and AI are becoming essential as new technologies and products are introduced into our everyday lives.

My professional interests are financial risk management, and quantitative research and trading. These roles demand statistical and analytical skills. Therefore, I chose to read a Second Major in Statistics and a Minor in Computer Science, to build a strong foundation in these areas.

Applying the knowledge learnt is the next step. In my third year, I embarked on a semester-long research project as part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS). Under the supervision of Prof. Chen Kan, I developed robust trend-based algorithmic trading strategies. The project exposed me to the research process, from literature review, experimental design, to result analysis. With this experience, I proceeded to take on a summer research internship with A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), as part of the Undergraduate Professional Internship Programme (UPIP). During the internship, I collaborated with scientists on a FinTech project which focussed on using generative AI techniques to produce more reliable and realistic forecasts for financial assets. Our findings have been submitted to an international journal, Applied Soft Computing, and is currently under review. The research experience was certainly enriching and fulfilling.

Integrating with the knowledge from the QF curriculum, these programmes have enabled me to be better prepared for a fruitful career in the finance industry.

Other than professional development, the wide-ranging opportunities offered by NUS have also catalysed my personal growth. In my second year, I participated in Teach SG under the CHS Common Curriculum as a project leader and mentor. Together with fellow coursemates and staff from NUS Office of Student Affairs and the Anglican Community Service, we facilitated weekly academic coaching and enrichment sessions to students from Christ Church Secondary School. I am immensely grateful for this chance to serve with empathy.

In my four years in NUS, I have also actively participated in The NUSChoir, serving as a Student Conductor and Student Composer. During my leadership term, I collaborated with our Executive Committee and spearheaded a Design Your Own Course (DYOC) initiative offered by NUS Centre for the Arts. The course aimed to nurture our singers’ capabilities through a collective effort in researching, selecting, and performing choral works. The programme enabled me to lead through innovation, a crucial skill in the fast-changing era we live in.