Banking and finance have long been popular university subjects for Hong Kong students. The huge concentration of financial firms in the city mean that this pathway is likely to provide plenty of career options.
But how much do high school students understand about the world of banking when they make their choices? A group of Form 5 students from Marymount Secondary School visited Citi Tower One Bay East on 26 July, to learn more about the industry and working life at Citi.
Anita Ngai, Asia Pacific Head of Regulations Management and Co-Chair of Citi Women's Network Hong Kong, welcomed the students and explained how the network helped women in the industry at different stages of their careers.
Allyssa Chan, Vice President of Talent, Learning and Diversity, then introduced Citi more broadly, and shared some suggestions with students who might be interested in careers in banking.
She explained that job opportunities in the banking sector are diverse, with investment and retail banks serving different markets, and a mix of client-facing and back-office positions. When deciding which route to take, Chan encouraged the students to consider their personality and explore their own interests. Participating in activities and competitions outside of school can help students to better understand where their strengths are.
When it comes to applying for courses or jobs, it is important to try to stand out from the many other applicants, she said. While knowledge and experience are important, employers are looking for more.
"About 90% of the CVs we see are very similar," said Chan.
She explained that curiosity, teamwork, analytical and communication skills are some of the qualities that employers value the most. In fact, such soft skills may even outweigh technical experience, as new starters can be trained in the technical side.
How to gain these skills? Joining extra-curricular activities and taking up roles in student societies are excellent ways to broaden your horizons and demonstrate that you have experience in working as a team, developing projects or leadership.
Chan also shared some tips on how to ace a job interview. Besides straightforward questions about your studies and knowledge, she advised students to expect situational questions that are more difficult to prepare for. Such questions let the employer see how candidates will handle tricky situations, to help them decide if they have the right qualities for the position.
Doing an internship is another way that students can bridge the gap between school and the workplace. Erin Wong, Citi Commercial Bank Analyst, and Wesley Chow, Personal Banking and Wealth Management Analyst, shared their own experiences as interns at Citi as well as their academic history.
Chow explained that he had started off studying engineering at university before switching to financial technology, stressing that students shouldn't be scared to change direction.
Making mistakes is also to be expected for workplace rookies. Wong recalled a time when a client had complained about mistakes she had made. However, she quickly discussed the matter with her supervisor so she would know how to handle a similar situation in the future.
"It was a tough but valuable experience that enabled me to grow professionally," Wong said.
Both the former interns agreed that the experience had helped them to understand the company culture, and to pick up their duties quickly when they returned as full-time employees.
After hearing from the Citi staff members, the students enjoyed a tour of the modern office buildings to see some of the facilities including the open-plan workspace, food-waste collecting station in the cafeteria, and even an organic farming area. These have all been designed to foster collaboration between teams, enhance employee's physical and mental well-being, and promote sustainability.